MORE WAGES FOR CLERKS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3101, 26 January 1909, Page 4

MORE WAGES FOR CLERKS.

"Death to the sweater!" was pronounced by Mr Walter J. Read, the president of the English National Union of Clerks, at a demonstration on December Bth, at the Memorial Hall, London. Since the first demonstration, held last year, the number of branches of the union in Lundou has been trebled, and the membership has increased enormously. Quite five hundred members were present on the night in question, and the proceedings were very enthusiastic. The main business done was the passing of a resolution favouring a minimum weekly wage of 35s for clerks in London at the age of 21, inviting the Government to lead the way in this respect, and deciding that all offices in which clerks work should be brought within the provisions of the Factory Acts as soon as possible. Mr H. H. Elvin, the general secretary of the union, in moving the resolution, said that the demand had been formulated after careful cosideration by the executive and they were prepared to defend it as a very moderate one. • He set out the expenses of a clerk who, for the purpose of his calling, had to live and appear like a gentleman—as follow :

s. d. Board, lodging and laundry 17 0 Travelling expenses 2 0 Lunches 4 6 Clothes and insurance 3 0 Holidays 3 Education, recreation, etc. 3 0 leaving 2s 6d per week for savings. Even this 35s was considered in excess of the average wage.