LOW WAGES IN GERMANY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2474, 19 May 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

LOW WAGES IN GERMANY.

CiiAULKS Neukr, United States Consular Agent at Gera, Germany, has transmitted to the State Department an interesting report upon the industries of that place, and upon the condition of the people employed in those industries. With a population of 35,000, Gera possesses thirty woollen manufactories, some of which run as many as 1000 steam looms ; three worsted yarn mills, seven carpet factories, live iron foundries, four piano factories, and thirty tanneries, beside a considerable number of manufacturing establishments of smaller importance. It is extremely difficult for the workmen to make both ends meet, and there is no question, says Mr Neuer, that the position of the American workman is eminently superior in all that pertains to the happiness and well-being of himself and family, and in his ability to save for the future. The lodgiugs of tin , , labouring classes arc of the poorest description, and the principal food consists of bread and potatoes. The German labourer has not that free, independent feeling which characterises the American workman, and tho majority of the working people are discontented and inclined to the utopianism of the Socialists. Many women are employed in manufacturing pursuits, their average earnings being only '2 .'tf.dol. a week, while they are compelled to work eleven hours a day. The employment of so many women in factories is considered to some degree as the cause of poor wages, but it is an undeniable fact that many industries in Germany could not successfully compete with other countries were it not for tho low standard of wages. The rate of wages paid to employes in factories at Gfira ranges from (idols, a week for tuners in accordion factories to 42 cents a week paid to children in tobacco mills. With the exception of bread, which can bo obtained for 2i cents a pound, the staple articles of food are dearer in Gera than in the United States.