WAGES TOO HIGH?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1938, Page 11

WAGES TOO HIGH?

CARPENTERS' APPRENTICES.

AMENDMENT OF ORDER ASKED.

An application for a variation of the wages paid to carpenters' and joiners' apprentices was heard before Mr. J. A. Gilmnur, S.M., in the Industrial Court to-day. The application for the amendment, which was made on behalf of the employers, asked that clause 9 of the apprenticeship order written on September 1. 1030, be deleted and a new ciause inserted, specifying a minimum wage of 15/-, with progressive increases of 4/- each six months up to the end of the third year, when the wage would be 35/- a week. It would then rise to 40/- in the fourth year and 50/- in the fifth. The rates asked for represented a considerable decrease on existing rates, which commenced at 22/6 and concluded at the end of the fifth year with a wage of £3 7/6. The employers were represented by Messrs V. A. Coyle, president of the Master Builders' Association, and the secretary, Mr. G. Norton. On behalf of the apprentices and the union, Air. J. G. Kennerly opposed the application. For the employers, it was pointed out that the present wages were too high when it was considered that the employer had to retain his apprentices for a period of five years and was responsible for keeping them in continuous work. The union's contention was that in view of the coat of living, it was necessary that apprentices should be given the opportunity of learning their trade in decent economic conditions. After hearing further argument, Mr. Gilmour said he would take time to consider his decision.