INCREASING COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 304, 12 September 1918, Page 6

INCREASING COST OF LIVING

R.'AILW'AY OFFICERS' REQUESTS. The local committee of the Railway Officers' Institute at its last meeting considered the increasing cost of living problem, The figures produced by the Government Statistician showed that the value of the sovereign had decreased by 75., but this estimate did not make allowances for the increase in the cost of domestis necessities other than the threo food groups. It was pointed out that consequently fixed salaries had lost fully half their value, and even on the Government's figures a salary of normally £4 per week was reduced in purchasing power to £2 12s. From daily practical knowledge it was evidenced that it was impossible on the salaries to make ends meet. Evidence was adduced of discontent rampant throughout tho Service owing to the hardships suffered through tho huge decrease in salary values, and the position was stated to he so acute that the meeting unanimously decided f.o ask for urgent relief in the shape of an all-round increase of 20 per cent., and steps will be taken to bring the position before the authorities without delay.