CORPORATION WAGES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2473, 28 May 1915, Page 8

CORPORATION WAGES

QUESTION OF INCREASES. Some time ago certain Corporation employees petitioned for an increase of wages, and the matter was held over by the former council. Last night the Finance Committee recommended to the new council that the petitioners should be informed that the council could not depart from the terms of the existing agreement. The Mayor said that the conditions now existing would run out in October, and it was up to any man to accommodate himself to the altered conditions. There were many men out of work at present, and the Finance Committee thought that it would be a dangerous thine to interfere with existing conditions. He moved that the recommendation should bo carried. Councillor Godber seconded the motion without discussion, but Councillor John Fuller referred to an award made whereby certain workers got Is. 3d. j, per hour, whereas the same men in the ' Corporation employ got Is. ljd. Ho thought the matter should go back to the committee to consider comparative c figures as to wages paid. Ho under- ' stood that married men were getting £2 10s. He thought the council could con- j sider a little increase to the poorer-paid' f workers. They had to consider the J high cost of living now. He con- ■, tended it would not make the higher- i paid workers come forward and make ( an extra demand if -this small increase ] was granted. He moved that tho re- ( commendation be sent back to the com- ] mittee. . Councillor J. Hutcheson thought it j was a- scandal that married men should 29. bo asked to live 011 £2 12s. Bd. in theso I times. He contended that £2 16s. was ] the lowest that should be paid, and j held thai the council, with a great j wealthy city behind it, was not doing Co its duty. The committee might well take into consideration that every con- 7 tract made prior to tho war liad been ( broken. Despite the stringency of the council's funds, they should make it their first duty to sec that their ser- 1 vants were adequately paid. He sec- j onded Councillor Fuller's amendment. ' The Mayor pointed out these men were paid for about ten days' holiday that otlier workers wore not paid for. Councillor Fitzgerald said that it was a matter of impossibility for the coun- * cil to get good labourers to work for the Corporation wage. It was their Rv duty, he held, to grapple with the qucs- ' 3 tion, and not pass it by in it'ri idle jy manner. Sy The Mayor thought the council would > be well employed in dealing with the vl' matter themselves, and not referring ib to the Finance Committee. Ho in- ai vited all the members of the Finance M.Committee to discuss the matter. On ) that understanding lie would agree to refer tho matter back to the committee. The clause was referred back. _____— 5 lin , Mo All tho>n desiring to join the mounted on unit: of the National Reserve should coin- '■ mnnicate with N. H. Mackie, Valuation [ Department, Wellington, or the secretary, PJ Ijpto ttaiaji Clothing Co»» Eetoflp.