REDACTION OF WAGES.

Kumara Times, Issue 1143, 28 May 1880, Page 2

REDACTION OF WAGES.

PUBLIC MEETING AT TOLLMAN'S TOWN. + In accordance with advertisement, a public meeting was held at the Empire Hotel, Dillman's Town, last evening, "for the purpos3 of considering the attempt now being made to reduce the wages current in this district." The room was crowded with miners, and the meeting throughout was characterised by general good order and temperate language* Mr Brewer was voted to-the chair, and briefly stated the object of the meeting. Mr Fergus Barrowman was unaware of the meeting being convened until he was returning from work that evening, but as it was a matter that affected the working men, he considered it bis duty to be present. He would remind the meeting that they were all workiug men, and he trusted that any remarks they had to make on the question they were met to consider Would be made fairly, and nothing harsh said against the contractor (Mr Maher) or the men now in his employment*— [Hear, hear.] He should move— That inasmuch as the exceptional nature of the weather and cost of living in this district, it is the opinion of this meeting that the reduction in the current rate of wages (for the benefit of one person only) which has lately taken place at one of the public works here is unjustifiable, and most injurious to the inhabitants of this district, for the following reasons, viz.— Unjustifiable : Because all tenderers for the work, including the contractor, must have formed the basis of their calculations, when tendering, on the value of ordinary labor, being ten shillings per day. Injurious : Because, although not benefiting future contractors, or anybody else, all future works would be tendered for and let on the basis of the reduced rate of wage, thereby tending to deprive those who, unfortunately, have to earn their broad by the sweat of their brow from obtaining the bare necessaries for a decent existence, while the higher order of Government laborers can live in luxury. With regard to the reduction of wages some people compared their position here with that of a settled district; but he held that the circumstances of a working man here were exceptional. He considered that this reduction of wages had a political significance, inasmuch as all the labor in the way of works required on a goldfield sverc Government works, and, irrespective of these there was little likelihood of any permanent work being obtainable in the district. If the wages were to be reduced to such a low rate, there would be little chance for a man to gather a few pounds together for any purpose ; and so long as wages were reduced, so long would the development of the -district be restricted. With reference to the contractor of the sludge channel he must have based, his estimate when tendering for the Work on the current rate of

wages, viz., 10a per diem, and he (the speaker) coutended that if the Contract was paying, Mr Maker had no right to < reduce (lie wages; and if it was not P a yi n o» * fc was not fair on the onlractor's part to call on his workmen to make it payable-^Applause). Tlioy, as workmen* were not consulted when he made his estimate, and lie had no right to come on them now. Let the contractor do as they did to a claim wheu it did not pay—either dismiss the men or give them a, show in the undertaking. If they estimated what wages were in this district per annum, . they would find, taking the weather and work not being permanent into account, that it did not average 5s per diem. This was owing greatly to the largfc number of immigiants that had been introduced iuto the colony, whom ho might say the Government had brought out under false pretences. However, the present Government tacitly acknowledged that lies had bean told on this subject before to introduce persons to come to the colony, as they had sent home instructions lately to stop the flood of immigration—[Hear hear, and laughter]. He had great pleasure in moving the resolution he he had previously read. • Mr Eodgurs seconded the resolution) which was put and carried unanimously. Mr R. M'Kenzie was in a similar position to Mr Barrowmanj as he was unaware of the meeting until that evening. It was the old question they were called together to tal versus labor. Glancing at the telegrams in the papers of late, it would - have been observed that a similar occurrence had taken place in New South Wales, where the miners working at the reduced rate of wages had been attacked; but he thought they could manage better here without resorting to extreme measures.' He considered' should forin an association, but. in so doing they niust be prepared to pat their hands in their pockets and assist those who were put out of work for the time being. It was but right that they should endeavour to eheck the contractor in his attempt to reduce the wages. He considered that' 10s was a fair day's wage for a fair day's work-*-[Hear, hear.] He should move the following resolution, which lie thought, would meet with the approval of the" meeting.— That, in order to more effectually carry out the object in view, the persons assembled here, with power to add to then? number, do now form, and are hereby formed into, ah association called the " Kuraara and Dillman's Working Men's Association; and that twenty men be now appointed as a committee representing the association, to canvass among the business people and others'for their cooperation, with full power to carry out the objects of the meeting, and report to a future general meeting to be called by the committee. The resolution was seconded by Mr BiGdS, and carried unanimously. Mr CAtLAGHAN moved and Mr May seconded the third resolution^ That should the foregoing resolutions seriously affect any men having families who are necessarily forced to labor oil public work 3 at the reduced wage, this meeting pledges itself to aid them, both pecuniarily and otherwise, in their endeavours to maintain the rate of wages com sistent with the exceptional nature of the climate and cost of living. The resolution was carried* Mr F. BARRowafAN would like to state the result of an association at Reef ton. The wages there were origni l nally .£4 per week; they were subsequently reduced to £3 10s; bttt there wag not much dissent expressed at this, as the miners considered it fair wages* About thiree years ago the shareholders in the various claims tried to reduce it to £3 per week, wheu an association was at once started, although he might say there was an accident fund in connection therewith. The members .paid 6d per were entitled, in case of accident; to £1 10s a week for the first month, and £1 per week for the second. The fund, however, accumulated, and they were enabled to deal with the wages question. A number of men were brought from other places to work the claims at £3 a week, but they were not told the men there were on strike, and the consequence was that on their arrival they also refused to work. Of married men who had fami- -"] lies to support, he conld hardly blame ' them for taking the reduced rate ' offered ; but when young single men, who could-shoulder their swag and find work in other places, worked under the reduced system, rough handling would not be too good for them. He thought that if a general expression of opinion was giren that 9a a day was not sufficient remuneration, there would be but few men found to work at that rate. Mr Seddok, M.H.R., said the course pursued by the meeting that evening met with his apppoval, and he at the same time would suggest that a

deputation wait on Mr Maher, the contractor, and, by talking the matter "over the .yj'qle question might probably be arranpP*s,mfeably. He should advise the Government, should the application fee made, trot to extend the time for thfe completion of Mr Maher's Contract. He was not present with any intention of addressing the meeting that evening, but only attended according to the promise he had given. The following weve proposed and ixomin&.'te"d Tas members of the miners : association : :—Messrs Seddon, M'lvenfeie, Barrowman, Mansfield, Rodgers, May, Moloney, Pearn, Callaghan, Home, '(x. Stewart, A. Miller, Skilton, Blake, Pollock, Aikell, Leslie, Bass, Brewer, Lohman, Blackmore, Foldi, Millson, Kennedy, Way, Tennant, Rudkhi, and Richmond, with power to ■add to their number. At this stage of the proceedings some person proposed that a collection be inade at the door of the Hall at the termination of the meeting, as a nucleus of the fund. The suggestion, however, had a marked effect on the audience, which in a few minutes rapidly decreased in numbers. A deputation consisting of Messrs M'Kenzie, Bawowman, and the Chairman, were appointed to inteivicw Mr Maher relative to the questions of the deduction of wages in the district. Mr Ebward Wright then mounted tfoe tabfe, and said that he had been working in. the sludge-'chaanel, but at the time he engaged with the contractor he heard nothing about a reduotion of wages. Having been present during the meeting, and heard the general expression of opinion, he could assure them jthat after Saturday night next he should knock off, even if he had 12s fa day offered him. He felt, certain all the rest of the men employed would be willing to stiike also, if their families could be provided for meanwhile. He Complaliled bitterly of a letter that appeared in the Kumara Times, under the signature of " Shamus," in which he (the speaker) and his fellow-work-men were alluded to as no better than i highwaymen. One thing, however, he could say,, which would refute "Shanius's" assertion about living on the storekeepers •: he had always paid his way, and he defied a man iu the colony to say that he owed him a penny.— [Applause. Mr BrGGs followed, and, ainld much laughter, suggested a subscription to pay for the use of the hall (which Mr Reynolds had kindly given gratis for the occasion). A vote of thanks to the Chairman, on the motion of Mr M'Kenzie, was accorded; and the meeting dispersed.