THE COST OF LIVING.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2362, 19 January 1915, Page 6

THE COST OF LIVING.

Sir,—For the second time I have seen in the Press within a few weeks Mr. Hewitt's, S.M., 'little homily oil the cost of living," the second occasion being in. your issue of Saturday, page 6. There is a good deal-in it, 1 miglit 6ay; that I, don't believe Mr. Hewitt ever said. It's too.absurd. No doubt there oro a good many men with families living decently on £2 10s. per week,., but.what have they to deny, themselves to pay 205.. in the £? For years now I lave only been able to earn (is. 6d. a day <m an average, and pay the country a good deal to rail my household necessities about to where I could get work. ■ But I can't claim to have "lived" during that time, unless being alive is intended to moan "living." Do you believe,'sir, that Mr. Hewitt said: "If a person could not afford butter they should eat dry bread" ? Or that if he could not afford meat, to buy the cheapest joints P 'What is the logical outcome of such arguing?' Does not Mr. Hewitt believe that butter is a necessity? It would be reasonable to say, then, if you can't afford bread go without. Is porridge too dear? Then do without. Is a sis-roomed house, too dear? Then, live in two rooms. Are you unemployed and the rent piling up? Then Jeep in the park. 'What kind of soldiers can we expect to produce from children reared under such conditions? The Magistrate also stated that "if a man intended to pay he would endeavour to do bo." Quite true, and everybody knows it. As for failing in trying to do a thing, success may- come to those who use their , best endeavours, but how are they living in the meantime? The whole thing, sir, seems too absurd to have been uttered by a magistrate, and if the interpretation is to be taken literally, then it shows that the' magistrate is not familiar with a lot of dotails_ that hinder the efforts of the ambitious man. Thanking you for the space I am sure vou will grant me.—l am, etc., 1 , NEWCASTLE. , P.S.—Must we give our children water when we find low income prohibits purchase of milk? '