THREATENED REDUCTION OF WAGES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5693, 28 June 1879, Page 3

THREATENED REDUCTION OF WAGES.

A meeting of the employes of tho various ironmasters and engineers of the city was held at the Central Hotel last night, to consider a proposal made by their masters to reduce the rate of wages. There was a crowded meeting, about 100 men being present. The Chairman called upon representatives of the various establishments to state their case.

In reply to the chairman, an employe of the Lion Foundry stated that the proposed reduction was 15 per cent, for some and 10 per cent, for others. He deprecated any reduction, for if wages once got down it would take years to get them up again. • If all were of the same mind us he was they would stand out. He thought the wages should be kept up, even if they worked shorter hours. Another man from the same foundry spoke highly of Mr. Mills, who had always behaved as n gentleman towards them, but ho (the speaker) believed Mr. Mills had taken a wrong step. Theyallsympathised with their employers in tho present depression of trade, which might very well account for the action taken by the masters. There had recently been some heavy losses, which had no doubt seriously affected the employers, and the employees could not but expect to be affected also. The notice, however, of reduction did not say whether it was to be temporary or not; and another thing, only notices had been posted up, the men never having been spoken to on the subject. He thought they should not submit to this without a protest. House rent and other expenses were high, and if they submitted to reductions, the laborer who earned a lower rate of wage would also have to be reduced, and then he could not live. The speaker suggested that a deputation wait upon the masters and lay the subject before them in a calm manner.

A representative of the Victoria Foundry said no notice had been posted there, so the men were not supposed to know anything about it. They could not take any action until they had notice, but when they got it they would all agree to act with the others as one man. •

The Chairman thought the short notice of three days was unwarranted. Referring to what had been done during a recent depression at Sydney, he said there was no reduction of wages or hours, but only half-staffs were employed every alternate fortnight until times got better. He did not believe in any reduction, as they would never’ get the wages back again to the same figure if they were once lowered. He thought tho masters had been hurried into their action without proper consideration. ,

It was then proposed that a deputation of six of their number, representing tho various employs, should wait upon the employers upon the subject. . One of the meeting deprecated resorting to a strike, as it would be easy for the masters to fill their places again from the. other colonies. He had seen strikes, and knew what misery they caused, and would bo sorry to see one here.

The Chairman did not think there was any fear of a strike, for those present had too much intelligence to resort to such a proceeding. Ho knew well Mr. Mills and the other employers, and he had not the slightest doubt that when the matter was put properly before them everything would be amicably arranged, as they had gentlemen to deal with.. An employee of the Phoenix Foundry said ho did not think there was any necessity for the reduction. Masters for one thing did not feel the fluctuations in the price of iron like they did at Home, and the general opinion was that a reduction of from 5 to 7i per dent, would bo enough.

. After some further remarks the motion- was unanimously carried, and the following deputation was appointed ;—Messrs. S. Luke, Williamson, Davis, Thompson, Gilchrist, and D. Campbell The Secretary was instructed to write to the masters, asking them to appoint a time to meet the deputation at their earliest convenience, the meeting to stand adjourned to a future date in order to receive the report of the deputation.

In reply to a question as to whether they should go to work on Monday at the reduced pay, the Chairman advised the men to go quietly to work while negotiations were pending, and not give any cause of offence. Some business of a pecuniary nature having been arranged, the meeting closed with votes of thanks to the Chairman and to the gentleman who had interested himself in getting up the meeting. . :