AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1926, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Australian & X.Z. Cable Association.! THE BASIC WAGE. SYDNEY, April 21. It is pointed out that in 1920, Piddington was the Chairman o fthe Commisioii which fixed the basic wage at £5 lbs, hut the Government refused to accept it. Some union leaders contend that as the cost of Jiving is now greater than in 1920, Piddington, to be consistent, must fix the wage in excess of £5 lbs. Experts have estimated that every shilling increase in the basic wage costs the State a million sterling. Consequently a substantial increase, which the unions are demanding would act. detrimentally to the Government.

THE 44 HOUR TROUBLE

SYDNEY, April 21

At a meeting of representatives of all the unions covered by the Federal awards, it was decided to instruct the memliers of the various organisations to work only forty-four Hours. Jt is officially stated the unions are definitely opposed to reverting to the forty-eight hour week. A committee was appointed to consider the best methods to bo taken in order to secure forty-eight hours wages for forty-four Hours work. The central branch of the Australian Workers’ Union has decided to ask Mr Baddeley (Minister of Labour) to instruct Paddington, the industrial commissioner to hold an inquiry immediately to decide and declare a new basic wage for men and women. The Secretary of the Union says the present basic wage of £4 4s is a travesty on the term “living wages.”