THE WAGES OF TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 228, 24 September 1903, Page 2

THE WAGES OF TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —A3 your correspondent, "Workman," waives aside the ruling of the Arbitration Court upon the above question as unworthy of consideration, I should like to ask him to suggest a better means of constituting a standard rate of wages. I have never contended that there is not room for improvement in the conditions of labour at present prevailing but I.am convinced, after investigating the working arrangements of several other tramway systems, that our local company compares very favourably with them. We must judge all things by comparison, and it is nonsense to imagine that wages can be raised in Auckland out of all proportion to the rate obtainable in other parts of the colony. The court which awarded motormen in • Dunedin 8/ per day is not likely to give the Auckland men 10/6 per day for doing the same work under more favourable climatic conditions. However disinterestedly we may strive to better the conditions of labour, it is always desjrable for us to retain our reasoning faculties and to avoid hecoming extravagant theorists who only look at one side of a question. In the case at present under discussion, I maintain that, as Mr Hansen voluntarily treated his employees more liberally oven than the highest labour tribunal in the colony would have done, he deserves credit for it. It is not honest for a workman to be always complaining about his employer with a view to securing a higher wage if he has no real grievance that requires remedying.—l am, etc., A TRAMWAY INSPECTOR.