The Rate of Wages.

Manawatu Herald, 19 August 1902, Page 3

The Rate of Wages.

This subject hasaSorded matter for dispute from the day when first one man hired another, and will probably continue to do no until we have developed into creatures as unlike what we are now as our present state is unlike that of the jellyfish. And yet, stripped of sentiment (with which it has really nothing to do), the ease is simple enough. The labourer sells his labour for the most money ha can get for it, and the capitalist sells his money for the most labour he can get for it, the natural rate of wages being found midway between these two antagonistic forces. But many will not have it so, importing into the argument all sorts of irrelevant considerations. . . _ , It is the custom of a certain London merchant' to refuse an increase of salary to an employee who presumes to ask for it, regarding any such request as impertinent, wnile those who don’t ask he says don’t need it. That merchant is difficulty to deal with ; yet there is a way to deal with him and his like The employee who is full of energy, with a thorough mastery of the affairs entrusted to him, will never want for employment and fair pay. Where one employer will let him go, ten others will be eager to grip hold of him, for there are none too many of his kind. Why are such men scarce ? The answer is ready: Energy can co exist only with health. Take the case of Mr August Janaan, of Karabury Station, near Hay, N.S.W., an unquestionably industrious man who used to be laid aside from time to time. Writing on January2o,l9o2, Mr Jansan says: "Towards the close of 1899 we had extremely hot weather in this part of Eiverina, day after day the thermometer registering 100to 120* Fahr. In the shade. My occupation (that of station carpenter) compelled mo to spend the ’greater portion of my time exposed to the scorching heat of the sun, a fact to which I attribute my subsequent sufferings. The first symptom was a sensation of sickness at the stomach on rising in the morning, and a distaste, almost amounting to a loathing, for food of whatever kind. Then I became alarmed by acute pains in the region of the heart. The bowels, toe, were very irregular in their action, ex'reme oostiveness alternating with violent purging. I could not eat, and for want of proper nourishment became so weak that I could hardly stand. Frequently I had to lay up entirely, neglecting my work for days at a time. Each weak-marked ft change for the worse in my condition, and to my other symptoms were soon added sick headaches and terrible pains about the chest, all of which made me nervous, low-spirited, and irritable. After ineffectually taking as much patent medicine as would fill a sheep tank, I placed myself in the care of a doctor, who informed me that I was suffering from acute indigestion, and that my nervous system was shattered, Ha attended me for twelve months, at the end of which time I was worse than when 1 first consulted him. Although only a little over 50 years of age, I felt like a worn-out old man, and bad not the strength of a ten-year old lad. I began to think I was beyond the aid of medicine, when a friend of mine, who had used Mother Seigel’s Curative Syrup with much benefit, persuaded mete try it. I agreed, and found relief from almost the first dose. By the time I had taken two bottles I knew that I was fairly on the road to health. My strength returned much quicker than it had departed. Before the sixth boiile was emptied I was restored to a thoroughly healthy and robust condition. I could eat, sleep, and work without distress or even discomfort. It is now six months since my cure was completed, when I gave .up taking the Syrup regularly; but, as a precaution, I still take a couple of doses every week. Many other persons in this district have taken it on my recommendation, and in no case hss it failed.”