"YOU TREAT IT AS A MAXIMUM.''

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1549, 19 September 1912, Page 4

"YOU TREAT IT AS A MAXIMUM.''

' ! ■"■.: ,;,-,THe'; MINIMUM; WAGE. According to a witness wlio gave evidence in the drivers' dispute yesterday, regulating wages in a largo carrying business causes employers some concern. The witness had previously stated that his firm (in Auckland) was quite willing to abide by tho present award. Ho was then questioned by tho.Drivers' Union agent as to why the employers (in their counter-proposals) suggested a reduction in tho minimum wage. The witness's reply was to the effect that the counter-proposals were framed in the same spirit as the union's demands, the latter being excessive. Subsequently, in explaining why a great many of the firm's drivers were paid the minimum wage, the. witness made tho remark that it was a difficult matter, to regulate war,es in a largo business. His Honour said that the firms should start with the minimum wage, and pay men, who do better work, higher wages. It was not an offence to pay more than tho amount fixed by the award, but the witness spoke as if it would bo a breach of the award to do so. The doctrino usually propounded by employers was that the award wage was a true minimum, and that more than tho award. rate was paid in other cases. "You come here," aded his Honour to the witness, "and practically say that you treat it as a maximum."