JUDGE HEYDON EXPLAINS.
(Received February 17, 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 17.
Judge Heydon's report declares that to make the lowest wage always- the living wage, would be to debar, the " manual r worker, who in the ; immense majority of cases must remain a , manual worker all,, his life, from any, possible improvement of his position. His wage might go up or down,;• iiut:; only in strict agreement with the - increase or diniinutionV of ■ his-expenses, ■" so that in reality it.would always be; the same. This would not be fair—he should have his share in, tlie prospetdus « times, he >was' kiill contributing; the same towards the work,bf'the community. Tlierefore,: ,!in good times he should get more than & living wage. :
The living wage of £2 8s vis.based on a family of four, :cbmposed of, the parents, and two children under; the ' age, of 14, /living in. a; house>;or /three ' rooms/ where 12s; is allowed'forjjr^ni^ s Children ; over 14; are ass^med^to;Oba'c earning -their own living, and; should; not be provided for in the living wage. General expenses over and above rrent, ; food, and groceries •are;,;©s,timated at 14s weekly. . ;-k;,.V ,4 :^'.^'^ ■>;«■ .ri: : v.;.-;_:
Judge Heydon recommends that the lowest wage for light labour be 8s 6d per day, ordinary labour. 8s 9d, and lieavy labour 9s, and that the living, wage should rise or fall according ta the general table of the Commonwealth. statistics as to the, variation in the? purchasing power of ;a sovereign; io;
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8796, 17 February 1914, Page 5
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241JUDGE HEYDON EXPLAINS. Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8796, 17 February 1914, Page 5
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