CITY LABOURERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1131, 19 May 1911, Page 7

CITY LABOURERS.

INCREASE OF WAGES. COUNCIL DEFERS DECISION. A .recommendation was made by tho Finance Committee of the City Council in its report to Inst night's moctinjr that the labourers in the employ of the council (permanent and casual) he granted an increase of wages of Gd. a day. Councillor M'Kcnzie asked that, as he was a new member, and desired to become conversant with the matter, that the report be delayed until next meeting. The Mayor said ho would like to give a new member every opportunity of becoming acquainted mitli the position, and he himself would move that (ho matter be referred back to Hie committee. Couucillor Shirtcliffe also would like to seo the matter deferred, because he thought they might endeavour to evolve a scheruo that would enable discrimination to bo made between married and sin?lo men. He seconded tho motion. • Councillor M.'Larcn deprecated further delay. It was "hanging the men up between heaven and earth." There was no excuse for any councillor not bavin? full information on the question. They could get all .the information they required for the necessary decision from the officials that evening. • He hoped that if the clause were referred back that finality would be piven to thp matter at the next meeting. He proceeded to move as an amendment that the sum of Is. be substituted for 6d. in Hip recommendation. The Mayor explained that this would be out of order. ' Councillor Fletcher questioned the Mayor's ruliri? and his action in first formally' presenting the report for adoption, and then movin? that a particular paragraph be referred back. , Councillor M'Laren again moved his amendment, and the Mayor an.in declined to receive it, explaining ih.U his position was finite in order. Councillor M'Lnren: 1 think your \\ orship would find a difficulty in Riying a reason for your ruling that would have any Eense in it. The Mayor, recalled his experience as Chairman of Committees in the House. Councillor Fuller was pleased the matter was to be adjourned. He had tried to "work it up," but desired to learn a- lot about it yet. . . The motion for the adjournment was then carried by 0. to 3.