The Cost Of Living

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 101, 23 January 1943, Page 4

The Cost Of Living

Sir,—Mr. Sullivan’s statement to the effect that the cost of living in New Zealand had risen only 13 per eent. since the outbreak of war made me feel pretty good till I started on some arithmetical calculations.

My interpretation of the increase in the cost of living boiled down to the simple problem of bow far my pound goes today compared with its purchasing power iu 1939. The first thing that struck me was that my employer deducts from my weekly earnings 2/6 in the £1 as against 1/- in 1939—an increase of 74 per cent. Whichever way I look at it I am convinced that this is or an additional 7i per cent, increase in the cost of living. Has Mr. Sullivan added this in with his calculations of 13 per cent, cost of living increase.—l am./ etc., SIMPLE SIMON. Wellington, January 20. Comparative Price Indices

Sir. —Having closely followed the cost of living controversy in “The Dominion” and the “Standard’’ in particular, it appears that as far as Mr. A. Cook and Mr. D. Sullivan are concerned, it is little short of a political stunt to prove to the electors how much better off we are in New Zealand as compared with the people in Great Britain, Canada and Australia. In your “Notes and Comments” you have dealt with the entire matter quite impartially, and in your subeditorial of even date you state “The increase in each country may be of interest, but abnormal and varying conditions have so affected the position that it surely would be advisable not to place weight on any comparisons.” .This is the only rational answer to the Ministerial 'inference that owing to the excellence of our Government we are the least-affected people in the British Empire. Further comment should not be necessary. However, we are a primary producing country and should not find it difficult to stabilize the cost of food and prevent any rise in prices. Ou the other hand, to attempt at. the present juncture to compare our social and economic conditions with those of Great Britain is a reflection on our understanding and grasp of the entire war situation. —I am. etc., 11. E. CHILDS. Wellington, January 22.