The Rate of Wages.

Manawatu Herald, 26 August 1902, Page 3

The Rate of Wages.

This subject has afforded matter for dispute from the day when fir.t one man hired Biether, and will probaoly continue to do se until we have developed into creator, a as.unlike what we are now as our present state is unlike that of the jellyfish. And jit, stripped Of sentiment (with which it has really nothing; to de), the case is simple enough. The labourer sells his labour for the most money he oau 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, impor ing into the argument all sorts of irrelevant considerations. . , It is the custom of a certain London merchant to refuse an increase of salary to as employee who presumes to ask for it, regarding any such request as impertinent, wnile these who don’t ask he says don’t need it. That merchant is difficult to deal with; yet there is a *ay to deal with him and his like The employee who is lull of energy, with a thorough mastery of the affairs entrusted to him, will never want for employment and fdir pay. Where one employer will let him go, ten others wilrbe eager to grip hold of him, for there are none top many of his kind. Why are such men scarce ? The answer is ready: Energy ban co exist only with health. Take the case of Mr August Janmn, of Karabnry Statloa. aear Hay, N.8.W., an unquestionab y 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 100' to 120' Fahr. in the shade. My occupation (that of station carpenter) compelled me te spend the greater portion ef 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 stemaoh 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, too, were very irregular in their action, ex'reme costiveness alternating with violent purging. I could not eat, ■ and for want of proper aouriehmant be • came so weak that I cquld hardly stand. Frequently T had to lay up entirely, neglecting my work for days at a time. Each week marked a change for, the worse in my condition, and to my other symptoms were soon added sick headaches sad 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 aeuto 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 I first consulted him. Although only a little over 50 ytars of age. I felt like a worn-out olirnan, and had npt the strength of a ten-year old led. I began to think I was beyond ihe Aid of medicine, when a friend of mine, who had used Mother Seigel’s Curative Byrap with much benefit persuaded mete in it. 1 agreed, and found relief from almost tbs first doss. By the time I had taken two bottles I koew that I was fairly to health. My strength returned much quicker than it had departed. Befort the eixth bottle was emptied I was restored to a thoroughly healthy aid robust condition. I eonld eat, sleep, and work without distress or even discomfort. It is now six months since my cure was com pleted, when 1 gave up taking the Syrup regularly; but as a precaution, I still take A couple of dosea every week. Many ether parsons Is this district have taken it on my teoommeedafen, and in no case has it failed."