The Wairoa Bell AND Hobson County Gazette FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4th.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 170, 4 November 1892, Page 4

The Wairoa Bell AND Hobson County Gazette FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 th.

Looking through the New Zealand Official Handbook recently published under authority of Government, we found there a table showing’ the average rates of wages in each provincial district of New Zealand for the year 1891, and we wei’e at once struck with the fact that wages in the Auckland district in nearly all branches average very much lower than in other districts of the Colony. We have often heard it stated and clearly demonstrated that the teachers of the Auckland public schools are pud at a lower rate than their brethren in the southern districts, but we were not aware that the same could be said in nearly all other trades and professions. Anyone choosing to look up the table can satisfy themselves but we give a few examples to illustrate the case in different callings. Mowers get jier day—Auckland 6s, Taranaki 8s to 10a, Hawke’s Bay 7s, Marlborough Bs, Nelson 11s Gd, Canterbury Is Gd per hour, Otago 8s to 9s, Shepherds, with board, per week —Auckland 10s to £l, Taranaki 255, Hawke’s Bay 25s to 30s, Wellington £1 to £2, Nelson 255, Canterbury 29s ta-325. General labourers, per day—Aupktand 5s to 7s, in other provinces varying from 6s to 7s, 8s and 10s, We are at a loss to know why this should be the case except it be that owing to the unsettled nature of onr province men are more unsettled in their occupations and change about more than in other parts, and at each change perhaps coming into competition with some other workman and thus lowering wages. This explanation is supported by the table before us for we find there that in other provincial districts the scale of wages seems to be fairly settled at or about a certain figure while in Auckland the scale ranges from very low to moderate rates, It seems to have teen impossible to fix a district average for Auckland and nearly all occupations are given in the following way :—Ploughmen 5s to 7s. Watchmakers 7s to 12s etc., whereas in other parts the one figure is very generally given. The question of wages is an important one to the masses, and so also is the fixing of a definite scale to all industries and manufaclurers. It is a matter in the settlement of which two parties, namely, the employer and the employed, should have a voice. The capitalist has no more right to take advantage cf the necessities of working men which might lead them to work for bread and water at the master’s own price, and if capital does stoop to such practices, and it undoubtedly has, it cannot blame the workers if they continue to work upon its necessities, for it in reality forces such tactics upon them. In such a way of carrying on trade and manufacture there can be no peace, but a continual friction destructive alike to labour and capital. Neither labour nor capital can get along alone for the one is necessary to the other. Wbv then should they not consult amis-

ably together, as two partners in a concern and come to a general agreement as to terms of union. The Country has pretty generally decided that eight hours should constitute a day’s work and this before long will probably secure parliamentary force if employers persist in ignoring the almost unanimous wish of the country. The future may require the fixing of a standard wage for manual work by which all other work could be guaged, The fixing of such a standard for unskilled work would perhaps put an end to the strife between mnu and his employer, and skill acquired perhaps by long service would stand a better chance of payment, for at the present time it has in many instances really no reward. The Kauri Timber Company’s Auckland directors at one time acknowledged the fairness of their workmen’s claim to an eight hours’ day and after friendly intercourse with the Knights of Labour reduced the hours of work to nine per day without a corresponding reduction in wages. At the same time it was stated that a further reduction of hours might be brought about later on. Such action was appreciated by employees who publicly thanked the directors for their courtesy and attention* A great change seems to have come over the management of the Company for of late years they have shown, as far as we can see, very little attention to the comfort of their employees. Instead of the hours being reduced to eight they have been increased, and their men have been working from daylight to dark, often just to give a boisterous skipper quick despatch and save his owner a few pounds. Nothing beyond the ordinary rate of wages is allowed for overtime, and the Company quite ignore the expressed wish of the country that eight hours should constiture a day’s work. The policy of the Company is evidently to treat their men as machines and get them to do as much work as possible at the smallest cost for repair and maintenance. And that they work upon the necessities of labouring men is evidenced by the fact that wages are continually being reduced because men can be got to work for less. One job we have in mind which when we first came to Aratapu was paid for at the rate of 45s per week ; gradually it sunk to 36s and now long serviced, skilled hands applying for similar posts are told that only 33s will be given because plenty of good men can be got at that price. If wages are so reduced then the cost of living should come down proportionately ; but this Company keejis a store and though its prices are considered reasonable and compare favorably with other districts we will give an instance, perhaps an exceptional one, of the manner in which they like to receive payment.— Kerosene, of the best quality, is quoted at 9s 3d per case in our advertising columns, and the Company ask 16s or 17s per ease. We do not speak of these things because of anything we have against the Company for in our dealings with them we have nothing to complain of. We would much prefer to hold our peace but seeing the table above referred to it seems to us that for the sake of the future of our province something must be done, and the Kauri Company being a large employer of labour in different parts we feel it our duty to speak of things as we find them around us, and if the press in other parts will do the same some good may be accomplished.