BOY IMMIGRANT'S WAGES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18232, 17 November 1924, Page 11

BOY IMMIGRANT'S WAGES.

.'A . long '" discussion ; 'regarding the junior .immigration ■ scheme took place at: a', meeting of • the' Wanganui branch of. the.. Farmed Union', following, a complaint-received !in. reference to aix English, boy who had been farming ■ at Bangitikei. The youth had becoms dissatisfied with his job, and had left it,.; because..his younger brother, who had emigrated under the same scheme, was earning a 'larger wage on a Taihape. farm. •-. The • youth at Bangitikei was: earning-10s--wecklj', while his brother. was ( paid . £T« Mr A. •'Eobinson asked how it. was possible for the boy to leave without first •obtaining • the jjermission of-.''the .Minister for -'lnternal Affairs. A: member: .He just'walked off. : Mr "Bobinsqn: It is the d.uty of.the 'Minister to punish, the youth who-does that.." • :-..'■ i ■ ; Mr. .'T. Currie said that the boys were-not indentured, burfc the farmers should-.pay them' what they were worth. Tho minimum wage- was 10s, , but some of the boys were now earning £1 10s weekly. . "''■•! 'Mr 'Parsons : stated that .the boy in question' was alleged to have said that he cqinb to this country..to have "a look .round." If he took up such an attitude •-he deserved to • bo cent out of the country. It seemed to be a glaring'case, and the youth should bo made an example of as a warning to others. ■ ' , -It was considered by other members that !the boys should be paid a uniform rate.. .• If one boy wa3 paid more than others it would lead to dissatisfaction. Mr- Howie said that no ."new chum'' from England was worth more than 10s per week.'- A uniform rate of pay would be ■ ridiculous, for some , boys with experience might be worth ■£l per week. ' Mr-Pa'rsone said'if the. boy was made an e&unple- of it would.bo a warning to. others. '-..'•■■•• . Mr '_ Morrison said that if ono farmer paid 10s. and. another £1 there was bound to be dissatisfaction among the boys:It -was decided' to communicate with the officer in charge of. the Immigration .Department asking for an enquiry. '