THE KAIKOURA STAR KAIKOURA, JUNE 1, 1894. ‘Living Wage’

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 743, 1 June 1894, Page 4

THE KAIKOURA STAR KAIKOURA, JUNE 1, 1894. ‘Living Wage’

Elsewhere, in this issue, some remarks, made by one who has evidently studied the subject closely, will be found regarding a question of great moment to toilers in the Northern Hemisphere. It. is, What is a living wage ? Fortunately, in the Southern Hemisphere the matter has not yet assumed any importance. Certainly labourers do not now appear to be so well off as in the frequently glorified ‘ eight-bob-a-day ’ period the happy days of yore. But though the standard rate has been reduced somewhat, advantages not formerly enjoyed have since been obtained. Employment is not, however, so constant, there being greater competition by reason of the increased number of hands to do whatever work is now required to be done. Vet there is not any attempt on the part of the majority of the employers in the Colony to grind labourers in any way, and the general conditions of labour here are, comparatively and relatively, of a satisfactory nature. It is not thus a question so much of a ‘ living wage,’ as of employment a. all. When work is to be had the remuneration is, invariably, adequate: that is, coin men-

surate with the service performed. Thus Labour here is not yet confronted with the obstacle met with by British workmen.

Beneath all the desire felt by Colonists for the success of the toilers in the Mother Country to obtain recognition of a ‘ living wage ’ for a reasonable number of hours employment daily —eight hours being favoured—there may be some selfishness. That takes, as has before been pointed out in these columns, a hope that with higher wages and improved conditions of life the British labourer will consume more Colonial products. That may or may riot be the motive actuating Colonials in their frequently expressed wishes in favour of their brethren ‘ At Home,’ There can, however, be no doubt that the bulk of Colonists are in thorough symyathy with the toiling masses in Great Britain.