IN PROSPEROUS TIMES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1987, 18 February 1914, Page 7

IN PROSPEROUS TIMES.

WORKERS , PAY, " SHOULD BE MORE THAN LIVING WAGE. By Teleuraclx—Pi'obS Asaocktiot-Goßjticlvt Sydney, February 17. ' '_ Jnrther particulars -have Been published of tho judgment' delivered by Judge HeydliH, of tho Industrial Court, ill ttio inquiry i-os.pcctiiig "tlve cost rf living arid tho living wage." Tho report declares: "To «iako tlie lowest wage always tho living wage would bo to debar the manual labourer, who, in- the immense majority <jf coses) must remain a maiiual worfrer all Iris life, from any jwssiblo iinprwoment of liis j)ositio». His wago ni.lght go up or dowii, but only in strict agreement with tiio inoroaso or diminution of his expenses, so that nsaMy it will always bo the same. This would not k> ho should have his share in tho prosperous times, beuuisd ho is still rontfibuting the samo towards tho ivork of tlie community. Therefore hi good times ho should mo.ra than a living wago;" The living \vage-482. Bs.—is based on a .family,of four, .composed ef the parents and two children under tho ago of fourteen years of ago, living- in "a house of three rooms, for which a rest of twelve sliiilirjgs is allowed. CJiildren over fourteeii"'yoare of ago aro assumed, to bo earning their own living, aijd should not bo-.provided for iti the living wage. General oxjreiise's over and above rent, food, and groceries are estimated at fourteen shillings weekly. Tho judgment recommends that tho lowest wage for light labour should be 8-s. 6d., for ordinary labour Bs. 9d., and for. heavy labour 9s, Tho living'ttngo should riso or fall according to a general tab]o of the Commonwealth statistics as to variation in tho purchasing power of tho so-vcToiEn.