HIGH WAGES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1929, Page 2

HIGH WAGES

BRICKLAYERS’ HARVEST

CHRISTCHURCH, July 3

The West,.Coast is living up to its reputation as the' '‘Golden Coast” at present, so far as (bricklayers'are .concerned.?, Due to the havoc caused,by the recent earthquake, an insatiable demand for .bricklayers-has set' ’in from the West Coast, and according kr statements made at last night’s meeting of. The Canterbury Master Builders’ Association, local builders yho . wish to retain bricklayers - in their employ , have been compelled to pay them wages which .under otjijer circumstances would be regarded as but of the question. »....• , • - •

[ The discussion arose as a result of the chairman (Mr’W.jP. Glue) .asking niombers if they i had noticed any shortage of.'Vic.iiayers as a result Of the earthquake on the West ,Coast. . “It has co ne io my knowledge,” said , one member,..‘rtliat the secretary of the Bricklayers’ XJnion offered men 30s a day to go to the West, Coast, and their employer had to pay them half a crovyn a day above that in order to keep them,”. A member: They’re getting 5s an hour on the Coast. .Mr Glue: I have heard that some of them are earning £2 10s a day. “After all, it is their harvest, and it won’t last very long,” said the secretary (Mb' W. H. Winsor). “The Education Board had to pay 30h a day to two bricklayers it sent to tlie Coast.”