THE COST OF LIVING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 25 November 1913, Page 5

THE COST OF LIVING.

AN INTERESTING COMPARISON. THIRTY YEARS AGO AND TODAY. In view of recent industrial happenings, considerable interest has been taken in tho question of tho cost of living as it alfects the average man and woman in the community. A Masterton resident writes to the Ago as follows on the subject : "We are continually hearing arguments ro the cosl of the necessaries of life as compared with years ago. Only a few days ago I heard two well known old residents having a discussion on tho subject. One was positive that the cost of living was very much higher than twenty or thirty yeans ago, while'the other settler was just as conii3cnt that on the whole the necessaries of life were lower than in the earlier years: Most people argue about the past from memory, but this, with most of us, often proves somewhat treacherous. For the benefit of all who take an interest in this subject, I have picked out a few prices from the many bills that I havo on " "Rand, dating back to 1880. If any reader doubts the accuracy" of the prices quoted below, I am- quite prepared to produce the original bills for inspection by reliable persons. COST OF NECESSARIES OF LIFE.

[ltems not otherwise classed are by the pound.] The above list, consisting of eleven of the principal articles of grocery, shows..in the decade—lßß2-92—a decrease all round of 7 per cent, and. from 1892-1913, a period of 21 years, a decrease of 30 per cent, being doub!o tho rate of the previous decade. For the total period of 31 years these eleven imported articles show a decrease of 35 per cent. Provisions (comprising cheese, dairy butter, ham, bacon, eggs, potatoesu: For the first decade these six articles show an increase of 16 per cent. This would have been considerably more but for a big droo of 50 per cent in eggs. From 1892-1913 (21 years) the increaso was 37 per cent, and for the whole period of 31 years an increase of 16 per cent. Meat: In the. first decade meat varied in price, but very little. In the next 21 years there was a substantial rise of 30 per cent. Over the whole period there was an increase of 26 per cent. Bread: This is the only article-, that remained the same at each period, in spite of the fact that labour has advanced 28 per cent and fuel 108 per cent. It mfght lie noted that of the commodities . under review bread is the only locally manufactured articlethat has not advanced in price. Fifewood: Taking matai at a fair criterion, firewool has advanced 16 per rent in the first, 77 in the second, and 108 over the whole period. It might be worth while noting that camp and colonial ovens having been superseded bv up-to-date ranges the economy effected in fuel by the use of these, modern conveniences has compensated to | a large extent for the enhanced cost of fuel. Labour: Labour has advanced 10 per cent in the first, 16 por cent in the second and" 23 per cent ever the whole period. Besides there is the shortening of hours per week in many occupations, which has not been tttken cognisance of. The four branches of labour under consideration should b* ft fa»' criterion of ■ wages generally.

(Retail Prices Delivered.) 1882 1892 1913 j s. d. s. d. s. d. — H - 3} — 2* — 10 — 9 — 8 — 9 — 8 — 5 Kerosene per 10 — ■ 7 — 5 — Tea 2 6 2 4 2 — i Tapioca — 6 — 4 — 3 Cheese —' 8 — 7 — 9 Matches per — 7 — 6 — 5 Soda (W.) — H - If — 1 Bacon ....... — 9 — 9 1 —« — 10 — 10 . 1 2 Butter (D.) — 10 — 8 — 11 Eggs per 1 2 — 7 1 — -4- — 3* — 2* Potatoes per cwt ... 7 — 67 — Salt — 1 — 11 — 1 Currants ... — ■ 7 fix — 4 Shoulder of mutton ... — 3 - \ —;■ 4* Leg of mutton .... — \ — i — 54 Chops — 5 — 5 — 6 Roast of beef ....... — 5 —• 4 — 6 Corned rnd. — 4 — 4 —. 4* — 6 — 6 — 7 Bread, 21b loaf — 4 — 4 — 4 Fuel: 4ft ma - tai p. cd. 12 — 14 — 25 — WAGES. - Gen. labourers per day ... 7 — 8 — 9 — Carpenters per day ... 9 — 10 — 11 — Drivers, per 37 6 40 — 48 — Shop assistants 40 — 45 — •35 i