WAGES IN CHINA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1082, 19 January 1883, Page 4

WAGES IN CHINA.

The united States Consul-general in China bis colleger! some interesting statistic* on the present tta e oi wages among the working classes in China. Hkilltd workmen, who, in a sense, might be considered artists, those who have to do vith decoration, embroidering of silk, porcelain-painting, etc., even when they have attain* d considerable reputation, can scarcely earn as much as will keep them, and enable them to lay spirt will cover the ■east of their funeral. Jewellers, who have a great responsibility, are somewhat better pair), whilst the highest wages, four shillings to eight shillings pfi' vve' k, are obtained by the silk weavers. !ho average earnings per week, all over : —For masters, 12s (kl; tor workmen, 6s; for women and children, 2s. The master lives, as a role, in Ids workshop ; he has £i to £6 worth . f household goods, and spends alimt £1 4 for good,L7 for rent, £2 for clothing, and considers himself foitnnate if he has from £6 to £S over. The unmanied workman lives with his relatives or friends. He spends for food I 9, for lodging about 4fk, and for clothing about 30s Women and chi Viren spend every cent they earn. The peasant earns irom 4£d to. 7il a day. During harvest time ho makes is a wee*, with board, which is estimated at 4Jd per day. They are foitnnate who are in a po ilion t- save 15saytar. Day labo-ers, potters, wheelbarrow men, and sailors earn from 2|d to Is 2d a day. In West China, tie porters who have to earn from 120 to 150 kil grammes of ten, in the mountainous regions, make Is a day. The ordinary day labourer makes 4s 4tl per month, and only spends 4s. Gold washers receive 2|d to 7d a day. A gang of seen n men can wash 20 tons of gold sand daily. The yearly maintenance of a Chinese soldier cosis a little over I*l3.