BIG WAGE CUT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1929, Page 5

BIG WAGE CUT

N.S.W. BASIC RATE. (Australian Press Association) • SYDNEY, October 25. The State Industrial Commission has reduced the general basic wage from £4 5s to £3 12s 6d per week, as being “ adequate for man and wife, now that the support of children is provided for under the Family Endowment Act.” The rural rate was fixed at £3 2s weekly. The declaration of these new wage levels has been delayed for fourteen days to enable Parliament to consider the matter if it so wishes. The table df deductions, under the new .decision will be : : —Adult males, 12s 6d weekly; adult females, 6s 9d ; junior males,' ss; junior females, ;2s Sd. Air Justice Piddington, President of the Commission, dissented from the decision of the majority. He contend;*! that the new figure was not a living wage, but a ” catastrophe ” wage. He said the Commission’s inquiry has heen a waste of public time. The present wage was no higher than was required to maintain the standard of living. The employers had refused to make any effort to show that the retention of ti e present wage level was inimical to. the conduct of industry within the State,

The Judge says that "each shilling wage reduction, represents! roughly one million pounds-- sterling in the New South Wales awards, ' Further, Mr Justice'Piddington pointed out that the basic wage earner wai also penalised by an equal reduction under the Family Endowment Act; The Commonwealth basic wage in Sydney was #4 14s Gd. The , preseut N.S.W; Stiite level was the lowest wa„o In Australia, ■% ! A :

The Trades Hall to-day condemned the new basic wage as outrageous, and declared that Labour must organise for the destruction o*f the Government that conniving at the reduction of wages.' , ■ ’ '..

WILL PARLIAMENT CANCEL CUT? • SYDNEY, October 25.

Mr Lang, Leader of the State Opposition, to-day described the 12s 6d wage reduction as being the most calamitous thing that this State has experienced in recent* years.. The resignation of the Baviii Government alone could allay the panic, and prevent the disaster that is threatening the commercial community. 1 ' • ; .. . . Mr Bavin, Prime Minister, on the contrary, counsels calmness. He declared that he realised that the economic results of the' large decrease In the basic wage would necessarily have far-reaching effects,, and would requi reserious • consideration by the Government. He promised to give Parliament the opportunity to consider the position next Tuesday. i /