COUNTY WORKMEN

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 May 1913, Page 5

COUNTY WORKMEN

A QUESTION OF WAGES

PROPOSED INCREASE NEGA-

TIVED. 1

At the meeting of uue Masterto:ii County Council yesterday, Cr Cross moved., in accordance with notice given, that the minimum wages of the County labourers be increased from 8s 6d to 9s per day, Cr Cross pointed out that the cost of living had increased of late, an dother Counties had > made an increase. He thought a good man was worth good pay. He would be prepared to pay 10s per day if he thought the men were worth it. Cr Patchett seconded the resolution. He said there was a strong feeling that the men should be paid higher wages than at present. He was of opinion that if the increase were made, some of their inferior workers would have to be culled out. Cr Cameron stated that if the mover and seconder of the Resolution knew the conditions under which the men were working, they might have a. different opinion. Or Cross said he was aware that the engineer had the discretion tc pay more than 8s 6d per day, if the men were worth it. At. the same time, thfe fact that they were paying 8s 6d per day was known outside, and this County only received the inferior class of workers. He believed if they offered better wages, they would get a better class of nfen. zCr ' Toogood expressed the. opinion that, with a few exceptions, the men employed by the . Masterton County Council would compare favourably with those employed by other Councils. ,

Crs Miller, Percy and Beetham thought that the present arrangement, giving the engineer the discretion to' increase wages where hethought fit, was satisfactory. Or Patchett said this was the first he had heard of the discretionary power being in the hands of the engineer. He had not heard of any increases being made in the wages ot the permanent men in his Riding. Cr Toogood mentioned that the permanent men had a cottage at a cheap rate, and a few acres of land on which to keep a "horse. They also received £2 per year for tools. They were, in fact, better off than the casual hands. Cr Cross having replied, the resolution was put and negatived on the voices.

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