INCREASE OF WAGES AND THE COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2734, 31 March 1916, Page 7

INCREASE OF WAGES AND THE COST OF LIVING

(To,.the Editor.)

Sir, —Would you allow, me space, to make a few remarks re. the above? As r, ,\re hear. so. much/ about the increased .■ cost of I ask: Who is ihe oause of it? iArs not the working class to ; blame, by .their continued-agitation for increase of, wages? Where is this increase of.wages to stop? For if one trade get an increase, tney all expect it, ■ and the increase is put on to the different classes of goods. The workers are . playing into the hands *of the exploiters, for if the large companies have to pay 5« cent, increase -in wages, they put on 10 per cent, .or more in ■ their charges. The .way things have 1 " been going this last five or six years, wo.j might go on till the workers got £1 per day, and we "would ho no nearer I = the solution. What is wanted is to stop this increase of wages', and, stop the exploiting that-is going, on with the large i combines, viz., the flour 'trust; the meat I trust,' butter:ring, and merchants. Look j at the price _ of- bread— '4]i'. per 21b. loaf, sanie price as last year, and wheat .2s, per bushel less in price. Bread / ,<,hould_be no more than 3Jd. at the pre- ,' sent time. Who is getting-the profit? Where are the Commissioners that are. supposed to look after this exploiting of the general public? And in conclusion," re the railway employee agitation for increase of pay, who-will have to pay it? Why .the. jieneral public, who are the users of, the ■railways. The same With the shipping charges. Let .the Government see that '/his exploiting ,is stopped, and the 7niddlemen's profits are reduced. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am' etc., CONSCIENTIOUS WORKER,' .-Wellington'.