WAGES "CUT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 276, 21 November 1932, Page 6

WAGES "CUT."

As one of the employees of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company who will suffer from the wages "cut" I wish to emphatically protest against the "cut." Many of the lower-paid employees have been 011 the border line for some time, and with another "cut" coining some of us will be pushed over the border into the swamp. There is no doubt quite a number of the employees will gaffer considerably. The clerical staff is expeotcd to dress at least a little decently; if they do not they are looked upon suspiciously. Married men on the lower wage will have difficulty in purchasing even the necessaries of life. Take the married employee receiving a small salary; deduct the "cut," wages tax, superannuation and insurance; he is practically on the same footing as the relief worker, ft just means in the course of time that superannuation and life insurance will have to be dropped, as ho will be unable to make the payments; If tho proposed "cut" would benefit anyone there might be something in its favour, but as it is no one will benefit. It is quite certain tho farmer will not receive any benefit. The secretary of the . Employers' Association stated a few days ago that the employers did not want to reduce wages, but this is immediately followed by a statement that wages ofi employees of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company not covered by an award would be "cut." It is difficult to reconcile tho two statements. Sir Berkley-Sheffield stated a few days ago, "I do not see how we can become prosperous again until we improve the purchasing power of the individual." He also stated, "It is no use producing commodities, if the people have not the means to purchase them." So why not try k new trail? SWAMPED.