ROADMEN’S WAGES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2003, 15 July 1919, Page 3

ROADMEN’S WAGES.

AN .INCREASE GRANTED,

At last night’s'’ Council meeting Mr A. G. Huntley (foreman) and Mr W. Sexton (roadman) made application for an increase in their wages of one shilling per day. Cr. Coley moved, and Cr. Parkin seconded, that the road foreman’s wages bo increased to £4 per week.

Cr. Coley said that lie didn’t think the men were asking for an unreasonable thing. They were two good men, and should get the increase asked for. Cr. Parkin considered that the road foreman was entitled to an increase in wages.

The Mayor said it was all very well to go on increasing wages, hnk (he workers had to hear the increases in the end. The Council must ho guided by what other local bodies were doing. The Mann wain Comity Council paid their roadmen 11s per day. The Foxton Council was paying (he roadman .Cl7l 12s Oil per annum, and the foreman .Clo 7, The. Horowhemm County Council paid their men 11s per day, and at a municipal conference which just completed its sidings at Timaru it was decided to refuse an increase above 11s per day. The proper lime to put in applications for increases was when (be. estimates for (lie year were brought down. lie quite sympathised with Mr Huntley’s position, and thought an increase was justified, hut the roadman receiving £3 fis 0d per week full time was very much better off than a man reeeiving 14s per day broken lime. It was not a daily wage, hut a yearly .salary that the Borough roadman received. Tie hoped the Councillors would keep within hound. The Government minimum pay at the Mangahao scheme was 12s per day, broken time.

Or. Thompson asked what the wages at present were. The Mayor said that the roadman received 11s per day, and the foreman 12s per day, pins an allowance of 4s per Aveek for al tendance to the horse.

Cr. Thompson said he thought the foreman should get an increase, and suggested the other application he deferred until it Avas ascertained what the general rate Avas. Cr. Hannah said if the foreman Avas to get an increase the roadman should also get one. He moved that the roadman’s Avagcs he increased to £3 10s per Aveek. This was seconded by Cr Rand. Both motions were carried.