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3. The low exchange in the early part of the year led to a considerable rise in the cost of articles imported from abroad but the poorer classes are hardly affected by the rise in the cost of foreign goods and local products were not affected to any great extent. An improvement in exchange later in the year has tended to lower the prices of imported foodstuffs.
labourer,
4. The European resident, unlike the local, purchases many articles of necessity which are imported from countries with sterling or gold currencies. With the rapid appreciation during the last two years of these currencies as compared with the local silver currency, prices of imported articles have steadily increased. On the other hand the abandonment of the gold standard by the United Kingdom in September had not by the end of the year been generally reflected in a corresponding fall in the local price of British goods. Until price fluctuations, owing to unstable exchange rates, over a larger part of his expenditure cease, it will not be possible to give accurate cost of living figures for the European resident.
AVERAGE RATES OF WAGES FOR LABOUR.
Building Trade.
Carpenters $1.15 per day Bricklayers 1.10 Painters 1.20 Plasterers 1.10 Bamboo Workers 1.70 Labourers (male) 0.80 Coolies (female) 0.50Working hours nine per day. Time and a half paid for overtime. Free temporary quarters provided on the building site and communal messing at cheap rates.
Shipbuilding and Engineering.
Electricians $1.00 to $1.70 per day Coppersmiths 1.00 to 1.80 Fitters 0.80 to 1.85 Sawmillers 0.50 to 1.40 Boilermakers 0.60 to 1.50 Sailmarkers 0.50 to 1.50 Blacksmiths 0.80 to 1.20 Labourers 0.50