Thoughts For The Times

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1920, Page 2

Thoughts For The Times

A Biutish View. For months past—says Ways and Means, London—wo have stressed the point that the only relevant argument in a discussion on wages is the value of the work done or the service rendered. The British Industrial Court now lays it down that “while during The exceptional circumstances of war it u'as proper to take into account the cost of living as the principal determinant of wages, the remuneration of the workpeople should now depend on the value of the work done depends upon the state of the market.” This does not mean that there will be any cessation in tho demand for higher wages or that tho present rates of wages bear no relation to the excessively high price of furniture. We welcome the decision of tho Court .not because it will tend to retard the general advance in wages, but because it will insist as a condition of the advance upon continually improving, value in work. It dismisses finally the idea that a workman is entitled to a rate of pay whether he works or not, or. whether or not he gives any value for the wages drawn.