COST OF LIVING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 23 April 1913, Page 5

COST OF LIVING.

AND BOKOUGH EMPLOYEES. At the ordinary meeting of the Masterton Borough Council last evening, two petitions were received from the Borough workmen and permanent gasworks employees, asking for an increase in wages. The v first petition, signed by twelve Borough workmen, stated that owing to the high price charged for the necessaries of 'life, and the rise in rents, it was found impossible to make two end,s meet, and they therefore asked for a rise in wages of Is per day. The petition from the permanent gasworkers contained eleven signatures, and stated that tbeir present pay was a mere existence, on account of the high cost of living. The last increase bad been made five years ago, and since that time the ga« works has grown considerably. They lioped that the Council would approve of a substantial increase being madt. Cr Temple did not think either application. should be dealt with by the Council, but should be left to the incoming Council. At the same time lie sympathised with the petitioners. He would move that the matter be left to the incoming Council to deal with, and that the Town Clank and manager of he gasworks be instructed to prepare a. report to be presented, at the first meeting of the new Council. Cr. Candy, in seconding the motion, agreed that both applications should be dealt with by the new 'Council. Cr. Prentice said ho would like to see the Borough .staff paid at the same rate as outside companies were paying, but considered the matter should 'be left to the new Council. Or Flanagan thought an increase in wages should be made, as far as the gasworks were concerned, as their work was well worth it. Cr O'Leary moved, as an amendment, that the, permanent gas staff receive an increase of Is per day. He was not seeking for votes, but lie would like to see the right thing done by the borough workmen. Cr Flanagan seconded the amendment. Or Elliott said that while he agreed that the men should be paid at as ■high a rate as possible, be thought that the matter was one for the new Council to deal with. * The amendment was then put and lost on the voices, Cr. Temple's motion being carried.