THE COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 259, 29 July 1919, Page 4

THE COST OF LIVING

TEACHERS WANT INCREASED SALARIES. At a -meeting of the Wellington branch of tho Educational Institute last night Sir. P. 31*. Jackson moved: "That every teacher should receivo besides his fixed salary an increase equal to tho increase in the cost of living; this increase to tnko effect from 19H.'' Ho said that tho principle embodied in tho motion was being recognised .all over the world. Salaries and wages ought to move with tho fluctuations in the value of the sovereign. The principle had been adopted by the Arbitration Coiu't and the lublic Service Commissioners, and it had been advocated by some of tho greatest economists. Mr. Jackson 'quoted the Oovernmont Statistician's figures to sho'v tno declino in tho purchasing power of money. New Zealand, lie fflid, was novel' richer than to-day, and (lie teachers were entitled to domand such an increase in salary as would givo them in real wagfs what Parliament had ordered in 1914. Salaries ought to adapt themselves automatically to prices. Mr. W. Rowntreo seconded the motion. He said the sole satisfactory motbod would bo to take some year ns a standard, and then arranjfo for and salaries to fluctuate with the prices. After a short discussion tho motwa was carried.