THE ILLUSION OF HIGH WAGES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 279, 21 August 1919, Page 6

THE ILLUSION OF HIGH WAGES

A SOVIET WORKMAN'S FOOD BUDGET. The Russian Soviet Government keeps increasing the rates of workmen's wages. But in reality this increase is exceedingly imaginary. No rise of wages can keep pace with the growth of prices of the necessaries of life.

For the autumn of 1918, a workman received from Us. SQO to Rs. 800. but of course these earnings, when translated into the cost of foodstuffs, etc., are below tho?e even in Twist times. Tn 1914, a mixed Commission of the Kolomenskv Works (machine works, near Moscow, oiie of the largest in Russia) the requirements and budget of a workman with certain privileges of purchasiug (at co-operative, stores) was estimated at Es. 8.605 (175.) a. month, while the wages were from R-s. CO to Es. 120 Mto JCI2 a month. In tho spring of 1915. a workman's food came to Es. 8.605 (17s.' a month, while the wages wero from Es. 60 to Es. 1?.0 (JIG to £12) <i month. In the spring of 1915, a workman's food came to Es., 10.86 (215.) per month. By the end of 191G the figures had risen to Es. 30.05 (605.). If in tho nutumn of 1.918 ft workman bought all the necessary foodstuffs which had been included in "the estimates of tho Kolo. monsikv Clrmimiission, then his food would "cost him Es. 2150 a month (nominally ,£215, or at the rate of autumn of 1915—.£43). Thus in October, 1918, foodstuffs cost 240 times more (in roubles) than at the beginning of the war, and 70 times more than before the Revolution. Even the maximum wages (Rs. m per month, .£BO or at the rnto of oxchause in autumn, 1918—£16) is 2J time.? 'less than the amount which a workman would have to spend for food alone if ho were to feed normally.