Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1931, Page 4

Following the nil round reduction in | wages there .should soon be bright*:] hopes for a general trade revival. The burden of wages in regard to many industries has been a severe overloading, and manufacturers particularly have been demanding consideration. Now that the way is open to give them the practical assistance raked for, there is an obligation on them to demonstrate the practical advantages of the relief afforded. It was suggested very pointedly in the memorandum expounding the award, that the reduction mads might be evidenced in the falling prices of commodities. If this he done, it should bo the- best gateway for more production a s a result of increased consumption. Tim time if! very opportune for ah overhaul of prices i,n the light of present day happenings oil thie world markets. Ihe decline has been very general, aful it iias keep demonstrated that commodities generally a I*o oil a lower level. The fail in wage*; should further assist the general position, and there should he an obvious realisation of the drop in the cost of living. That of course will he the best compensation of all for the fall in wages,' and will ease the blow. If the percentage lost by the “cut,” can lie balanced by the drop in commodity prices, then the workman is not going to he anv worse off in the net result. The fall in wages will probably, also, turn the thoughts of tin' family man in particular more directly to the practice ol thrift. Big wages have encouraged a degree c,f extravagance in thought of the prewar days. Certainly with modern inventions in the way of facilities for more pleasure, there are now more temptations: to indulge in a more lavish mode of living, but there must he some contraction of the usual procedure where the ten per tentage reduction cuts into the regular income. Even so. the ca.se of the person in regular employment and in necoint of weekly wages, is much better off than the casual worker,'so many of whom have to subsist rs best they can on wlint the unemployment relief affords. The ten per cent, in relation to the latter’s precarious living is not to bo compared, so that those who are affected bv the new award adjustment have really much to he. thankful for. Tt is only by companion th?t the measure of the position can be fully guaped. grid the comparison made is certainly illuminating. The time _is now fully tire for that reduction in the cost of living ho long honed for, and the war i„ opened for a definite move towards its realisation. The achievement of the result will be for the benefit of all.