CITY WORKMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 74, 27 March 1919, Page 7

CITY WORKMEN.

QUESTION OF WAGES. AN ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE.

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHtfRCH, Monday. At the last meeting of the Christchurch City Council Cr. Sullivan moved: "That the wages of all journeymen workers in the employ of the City Council be increased to a minimum, fiat rate of not lese than 12/ per day."' He said his motion applied to all adult ni(.le journeymen workers in the council's employ. In support of it he applied the argument of the increasing cost of living. He claimed that the present wage of the bulk of the council's em- j ployece was only equivalent to £2 a j week in pre-war times. The council, he said, had effected a saving on its estimates of £7073 during the past nine montlis. An extreme and generous estimate of the total cost to the council: under his proposal was .£3570. | Cγ. Herbert seconded the resolution. | Cr. Fleeher moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to a special committee consisting of the chairmen of the various committees to go into the question and report to the council. None, he said, would object to the men re-; ceiving the highest possible wage the council could give them, but councillors . had to remember that the men's work was constant. The council's rates were levied on all the propeny-owners in the city, most of whom were people with email meana who were affected by the : war. In view of this fact and of the Arbitration Court sitting iv Christchurch at the present time — Cγ. Nicholls: Settle it in the council. Cγ. Flesher said it was all very well for Cr. NichoUs to say that. He pointed out that the superannuation scheme wna going to cost the council money. Ho I went on to allege that it was quite patent that the motion had been brought forward for electioneering pur- ' poses. I Cr. Sullivan: I give you the lie I straight out. Cr. Flesher: lam quite used'to that. Cr. Sullivan (excitedly): I give you the lie absolutely. It it> a dirty lie. Cr. Flesher to the Mayor: Sir, is that a proper expression? I His Worship: It is not. Cγ. Sullivan to Cr. Flesher: It is a proper expression for a man like you. At this stage Crs. Flesher and Sullivan were speaking at once, whilst the Mayor was vainly trying to intervene, and other councillors vere interjecting. The i din waa considerable.

Cγ. Flesher to the Mayor: It does not matter, Sir. The Mayor: But it does matter. Cr. Sullivan to the Mayor: I cay that for cverj-thing I get from C'r. Flesher I will give it back. I say to-night I have been insulted and you should protect mc. Cγ. McKellar seconded the amendment. He thought no elected body should take any action on the lines suggested, except through the proper body, the Arbitration Court. Cγ. Sullivan eai(? the insinuation thrown out that the motion was for electioneering purposes was entirely untrue. This aspect of the matter had never been spoken of by the Labour members in any shape or form The Mayor: The Council will" accept your statement. Cγ. Kullivan: Thank you, sir. The amendment was lost on the voices, and the motion carried.