THE COST OF LIVING.

Otaki Mail, 15 May 1922, Page 1

THE COST OF LIVING.

A working man writes to the ‘“Lyttelton Times” ns follows: ‘‘They say: the cost of living lias come down. My j rell t. is 20s per week for a decent house* Has anyone’s rent been reduced during , the past 1- months. Bread at Is Id per loaf costs 6s 6d a week: meat (the only cheap thing) 6d per week: milk at od a quart, 3s 6(1 per week; butter, Is Sd. 4s 2d per week. These are only some of the things we have ■ to have. Now, these gentlemen talk about clothes, boots, etc., which we get, if wo are lucky, once a year; but my wife and I during these last few years have had to buy second hand clothes, through the Star paper, and glad to get them, as we have three children. We do our best to pay our way. I enjoy my half holiday digging, ploughing, sawing and reaping; my nights repairing our boots, etc. I grow all potatoes 1 and other vegetables and keep a few fowls. My wife knits oil our stockings and makes all the children’s clothes. In closing I may say we don’t owe a penny, also our bank book is a blank book. May I suggest to these gentlemen to leave their line homes and motor ears, etc., and bring their wives and families to a £1 per week house and wear their oldest clothes and live, I or try to, on £4 or £5 a week? Then they might say what we say —what wo I get now is not quite enough.”