WAGES ADJUSTED

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1921, Page 1

WAGES ADJUSTED

TO AVERT UNEMPLOYMENT. CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES. A meeting of North Canterbury local bodies was hold, on Saturday last at the Amberley Town Board Chambers. Present: Messrs N. D. Campbell (Waipara County Council), F. Horrell (Rangiora County Council), W. Hale CKowni County Council), Latter (Anniri County Council), J. Baxter (Oxford County Council), E. Evans (Eyre County Council), G. Bennett (Ashley County Council), N. G. Holton (Amberley Town Board), and Messrs Wilkinson, Lindsay and Fitzpatrick, county clerks. Mr N. 1). Campbell, as representing the convening body, was voted to the chair. The chairman in explaining the object of the meeting stated that the time had arrived when local bodies must look carefully to their finances if they wished to he in a position to keep their men employed during the coming winter. He thought a special effort should be made by local bodies to retain the men, as.otherwise the number of unemployed would be increased. The Government was retrenching whenever possible, and the Public Works Department had no funds to. meet the grants that were already on the Estimates, and no doubt local bodies would he expected to provide employment. i,i or der to keep as many men as possible employee!, an adjustment of wages was. necessary. The speaker believed the men would be prepared to tab little less wages, and be sure of work than the alternative of being put off in the near future. Mr Campbell therefore asked for an expression of opinion as to the maximum amount it would he possible to pay. After' considerable discussion it was agreed that the maximum wage should be: —Teamsters, 11s per day, wet and dry; labourers, 12s per day for timo worked; pit work, 13s per day.