"GIVE A MAN A LIVING WAGE"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 6, 2 October 1918, Page 8

"GIVE A MAN A LIVING WAGE"

(To the Editor.) _ Sir,—Did your correspondent "Public," wise in the wisdom of the ages, intend his glorious screed as a sample of his sarcastic wit and brilliant irony, or did he really express his true thoughts by writing as 'he did? If my first surmise is correct, then "miff said"; if my latter supposition is right —what blindness! Just follow out his line of argument. In tho first place we will put it in general terms. If a man is looking for his life's work, let him eschew any poorly-paid job. If he is in a poorly-paid job, let him get out and try something else—but don't in any way alter the remuneration attachable to a job. "Public's" suggestion is tantamount to advice to the dissatisfied workers in any job to resign _in a body._ The tramway men's job is poorly, paid, then let the men get. out—the job remains poorly paid, and, following "Public's" reasoning, let no man without a private income take the job. .What is'the Jesuit? Surely a dearth of tramwaymen. What is the ultimate result? An advance in the wages as an inducement for the right class of worker to become a tramwayman. I say "right class" advisedly. Are middle-aged men or girls and women the right class for tlio work? "Public" says it is not strenuous. I suppose he has a seat to sit on most of the day. Let him do as much "trotting around".as the average tram cr.nductor—let him have as great a nervous strain as the average motornian— and then ask him what he thinks of it and most of all the pittance in return for it. Perhaps "Public" knows something of his Bible. "Muzzle not the ox which treads out the corn." In other words, ; let him take a fair share of tho profits derived from his_ work. To apply it to human beings—give a man a living wage.—l am, etc.. , DREAMER. September 30. East Fiiichley "(England) RaptUt Sunday School has, at a cost of £90, sent to men serving with the forces, 2150 letters, 8200 newspapers, and 1400 magazines. .. . School children'in Germany get reward stamps for collecting old papers, scraps of_ metal, rags,, and even hair, all of which are used in Germany's extremity.