BASIC WAGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 82, 28 June 1927, Page 1

BASIC WAGE

NLS.W. INCREASE KEEN DISAPPOINTMENT By Cable. —Press Association .- — Copyright. Reed. 11.40 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. DOTH the employers’ organisations and the Labour unions express keen disappointment with the new basic wage, though from opposing viewpoints. The employers express the opinion that the cost of living must materially increzise in the immediate future, when, together with the Child Endowment Act, the increased rate comes into operation. All employers are agreed that the extra costs involved will be passed on to the public. The basic wage judgment of the industrial Commissioner. Mr. A. B. Pid* dington, fixes the living wage on a standard of a man and wife at £4 5s a week. This is an increase of one shilling a week upon the current rate. The finding is not to apply to rural industries, which will be dealt with later. In delivering his ruling, Mr. Piddington also announced that the rate for women had been increased by 3s 6d to £2 6s a week. The employees' representative on the Basic Wage Commission dissented from the judgment. He proposed a basic wage of £4 17s. The emplpyers’ representative also dissented from the judgment. He said that with a reduction of the family unit, which was previously taken into consideration in granting the basic wage for a man, his wife and two children, there should be a reduction also in the basic wage. Mr, Piddington announced that under the new finding no rise in prices would be justified. Mr. J. T. Lang’s child endowment scheme of 5s a week will now automatically come into operation. —A. and N.Z.