FACTORY WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1920, Page 2

FACTORY WAGES.

To the Editor. Sir.—Tout own correspondent at Wai-tol-oi and "Whey" are having a good argument over the factory question. "Ycuv Own" seems to think that the wages ar* sufficient while "Whey" stills wants more, and, even if he gets it, a rise of even twenty per cent will quickly be absorbed by high prices of food and necessities. Do your correspondents over think how far their suggested remedies aTe from a solution of the trouble? For many years now there has been «a constant wrangle orer the wages, always "more, more," i:t thp cry. And it Is well known that when a rise of wages is granted on the one hand it is promptly more than balanced by the cost, of living on the other. Wages, however, cannot be blamed for the high price of cheese or butter. But. Mr. Editor, how long will this system of wages and wrangling go fm? What does the employee want? On all sides we hear the wage-earners' growl, "more money." In looking at the question from a disinterested point of view. I feel compelled to answer: "Freedom and a horn?" Men with their wives and families don't want to be perpetually living a hand-to-mouth existence with a system of housing that keeps a greedy landlord ready to pounce on the tenant at a moment's notice. Sir. are there any employers of labor, farmers or others, who are thoughtful enough to consider this question and pay the worker a wage which admits of a chance to save money to secure a home, and Rome acres, free from the everlasting mortgage by the time the employer is ready to thmw time on the industrial scrap Jinan? Whllo he is at. his best he gets a so-called living wage with huge legitimate expenses which absorb the lot, and when ho is past work. what, happens? I contend that, in n countrv. the best in the world and under n flag that boasts of liberty, freedom, and happiness the conditions of labor arc shock' ing.—l am, etc, "STILTOX." Inglewood. MUi March, 10*20.