CLERK'S WAGES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10974, 25 May 1901, Page 10

CLERK'S WAGES.

TO THB XD-fOB OP THB PKUf. Sir,—-It is with pleasure I and many others have read "Fiat Justitia's" letter on the above subject in Saturday's "Press." There is no escaping the tact that clerks generally t_re the worst paid and most deplorably dependent body of workers in the country. Compare their wages with -hose recently awarded (by law) to the butchers, for instance. The clerk's existing rates aire relatively ridiculous. Without mincing matters, it comes to this—clerks themselves are to blame for their present condition, seeing that it is open for them to unite to avail themselves of the protection of the Arbitration Court. As matters now stand, they appear quite content to allow their occupation to become the dumping ground for boys (and latterly girls) shut out of other trades by Trades Unions, while they are at the same time mulcted in the prices they now have to pay for necessaries in order to provide the increased wages earned by Union workers. By acquiescing in the present position they are showing wont of pluck, while in the case of the few among them whose wages are fair, they would do themselves credit by giving a helping hand to a movement for bettering the condition of less fortunate workers, and incidentally making their own positions more secure, for surely they are not unaware that there is no man so good that he cannot be replaced, aud that scores of men in Christchurch who can do their work equally well are being paid far less than they are, and could cut them out and still improve their own positions. Until a clerk's association is formed and a few of the worst cases of sweating are token into Court, and tha question of wages fixed by the same law that has fixed Union wages generally, no improvement will be made. They must unite in self-defence, and united would be the most powerful association in New Zealand, since their occupation is connected with all trades. What are they waiting for, the grass to crow, or a miracle? —Yours, etc., ' LONDONER. May 20th.