THE COST OF LIVING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 94, 22 April 1911, Page 7

THE COST OF LIVING.

xo the' editor. Sir, — I would like to contribute my quota to tho discussion which is now taking place on the above subject. The Mayor frankly and truly states that he does not know what constitutes a living wage. Some of us, however, have had to solve the problem for ourselves, and can speak from experience. Let us premise- that details of the grocer's bill are of very littlo value in the discussion. The cost of pepper and blue is negligible. It is better to classify the leading items of expenditure, and these for two persons, say, man and wife, are as follows :—: — Eent. — 14s. There are cheaper cot-i tages to be had, but none that 1 would f care to call my home. ' Fares. — 2s. People must use the-.ears in Wellington, and I consider this to be the average expenditure. Light and Fire. — 3s 6d. Gas bills for four years have averaged Is 6d and coal 2s. Food. — 15s. Taken from several years' accounts. Clothing. — 4s. This includes boots and all apparel. Insurance. — 2s. For two life policies or small, short-dated endowment. Furnishing. — Is. This is for replacement of breakages, wear and tear, etc. Doctor. — 2s 6d. If in a club, if not cost is irregular. Stationery. — Is. Including stamps, books, papers, etc. In addition to these may be added such items as holidays, drinks, tobacco, sweets, and entertainments, which vary so much according to one's inclination that I will not attempt an estimate. Then, most people belong to some society or organisation, which they are often called upon to help to maintain. No one can say that the first nine items are excessive, or extravagant, and that they can bo retrenched to advantage. They represent what I pall the cost of bare subsistence, which is 45s per week for man and wife. I know that it is often done for less, and I know how. But is it desirable that it should be? We want the workers to attain a high standard of comfort. We do not want a few rich and many poor. All should have a chance to live, and to live well, and I do not see how it can be done for less than 50s per week. This should be the irreducible minimum. Not merely the nominal, but the actual wage. How many trades pay it? Very few. Take the boot and shoe industry for an example. The nominal wage is 48s. But I find in the Official Year Book that the average earnings of the male workers in this trade for the past twelve months were £95 per head, or 37s weekly. Several industries show worse than this. Despite all we have heard to the contrary, we cannot say that wages are high in this country, and, compared with the cost of living, 1 consider them to be inadequate. — I am, etc., A WORKER. Wellington, 19th April, 1911.

"He use to kiss me every time we passed jbbxough a tunnel befpre our marriage," said the little woman, with cad reflections. "And does ha flo no m»wT" naked her boApm friend. "No; he takes » drink,"