STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14660, 8 May 1913, Page 4

STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR

Reference to the coming winter, and the scarcity of work, was made by.the Mayor, Mr H. Holland, at his installation address last night. H's Worship said that the question of the labour market was in an unsatisfactory state just now. H© did rot wish to appear as an alarmist, but this question must engage the attention of the Council. The position was that the Council was under an award, and last year it was threatened with proceedings for making work to give employment to nine married men w'ltn families dependent upon them. Seven of those men were members of soma union other, but were- in arrears with their membership payments, and could not get a transfer to the General Labourers' Union till the. arrears were paid off* and the position tras nn exceedingly difficult one. Were those men and their families to* be allowed to starve in our midst? He for one said no. But so matter how the Council might

endeavour to relievo distress tho facts were, ns stated Tho question of increased wages would come beforo tho Council this year. Considering the increased cost of iiving, it seemed to him, tho Council must be prepared to pay tho same wages as were paid by tho Railway Department, Wellington City Council, and many other local bodies, viz., 9s per day. That ho ventured to think could be done without any increase in the rates, or without reducing the amount spent for metal, otc. Ho would move in that direction early, and would pladiy disetifs tho matter with the Finance Committee Liter, and render any assistance in his power.