HIGH PRICED WELLINGTON.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 21, 22 October 1901, Page 4

HIGH PRICED WELLINGTON.

"Householder" writes in the NewZealand Times as follows s—Mr Sedolon in five words sti uck a note that finds responsive vibration in the heart of every family man of stated salary or limited means in this city. The words were " Everything is dearer in Wellington" (vide .'Hansard," October 1.) No truer words were ever spoken, and every housewife knows it. Rent is excessive, due to the far too high price c flanol certainly, and to the increased; cost of building and building material ; abnormally high rates charged by the City Council, which are close on 20 per cent, of the rental. Thus a man with a house rented at «£72 pays nearly .£l4 per annum of rates. Meat, and nearly all kinds of provisions, are dearer than either in Christchurch or Auckland or in Dunedin, where rents are also very much lower than here. Clothing is clearer here, unless perhaps for what the Customs tables call "slops," that is ready-made imported garments, more fire anol wanner clothing and bedding stuffs, and more of them are necessary here than in Auckland for an example ; and the family man and his household living on fixed salary or wages, from the outside workers and Civil servants of all gradeSj require to exercise vigilance to make both ends meet. All this is a severe handicap on all these classes. Private employers are often generous or just enough, to take these circumstances into account and make allowances to their people for the dearness of living. If this is not done in business and mercantile services the handicap presses all the more severely and tbat pressure should clearly be lightened. As a rule, all round 20 per cent, is the extra cost of living in Wellington, as contrasted ■with Auckland and Christchurch.