THE COMMISSION ON THE COST OF LIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 95, 7 September 1912, Page 4

THE COMMISSION ON THE COST OF LIVING.

To the Editor. '"* Sir,—With your permission I would like to express my judgment upon this matter. I doubt whether the result will justify the Commission being get up. The Commission has not been on th« right scent to do any real good. Th* coat of living is not so liiucli a comnier» cial question, as a moral and physical one. The cost of living varies according to people's conduct, whether it b« judicious or extravagant and foolish. Th* abuse of life and its privileges ig bound to make costly living. I ;uti per-suaded that there is no greater factor for malting life hard and costly than the etrik* mama, and all its attendant evils. It id rebellion against civilisation. If tfc# workers of this country think -that food and clothing are dear, the fault lie* principally with themselves; jbut tM Commissioners don't want to look thai war. If L am not greatly mistaken, th* Commissioners wanted to discover thaf dear living was due to wholesale dealers' and to the tariff, at the same time hoodwinking in'other directions. I am persuaded also, that very many of those who complain about dear livin" are extravagant and inconsiderate "in their manner of life. As the prices of "oods aTe at- present, I consider there is not much to complain of. Therefore in mv opinion tlic findings of the Commissios are not to the point. The value of a leport is not according to its length; Judicious living will put things right, and that only.—l am, etc., JAMES FORTUNE. *