WAGES REDUCTION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17452, 12 May 1922, Page 6

WAGES REDUCTION.

THE WOMEN'S VIEWPOINT.

PLEA FOB CHEAPER BENTS.

(special to "the press.") AUCKLAND", May 10. The general attitude of Auckland women-workers whose Wages will be reduced by 2s 6d "a week will probably be one of relief that tho cut has not been more severe. "We were prepared for a cut and have known for some time that it must come," remarked Miss Cossey, secretary of tue Auckland Taiioresscs' Union, whioh has a membership of over 1500. "At .the same time it is sincerely to be hoped that thera may soon follow some reduction in rents and board, for at the present Aime many of our girls are having to pay £1 a week lor a room or anything up to 30s a week for a room and board. That does not leave much out of a wage of £2 2s 6d a week, which is as much as the majority of them are earning. Some of them again have family responsibilities, many being married Women with young children dependent on them, while others are supporting their parents. For this reason many of them will find it very hard to get along now unlesn thero is some further reduction in the cost of living, particularly in the direction of room rent and board." This view was supported by a social worker in daily toucli with working men and women. "The cost of living has certainly come down," she said, "but clothing and rents are still too high. For _ tiie sake of those with large families I hope there will be a redaction along these lines. On the other hand, if the lowering of wages will result in more employment, it will be a .very good thing for there are many men and women in the city who would-.be thankful to get work at the lowest wages rather than continue in unemployment." MEETING OF UNION OFFICIALS. (PRESS ASSOCIATION' TFJ>EUUAM.) WELLINGTON, May 11. Ati important meeting of Trades' Union secretaries and other officials was held this afternoon and evening to discuss the Arbitration Court's pronouncement .respecting the reduction of 5s a week in the cost of 'living bonus. No definite announcement was made when the meeting concluded. Another meeting is to be held. The remarks made by Mr Frank Cooper, secretary of the Canterbury Employers' Association,. regarding the Court's decision (which in Wednesday's issue) did not accurately convey his meaning. Mr Cooper did not intend to assert that tho 5s reduction could not be "passe-d on" to the public in the shape of a reduction in the cost of living; but that, apparently, the Court had disregarded the employers' case on this particular point, winch was that a reduction of os "could not be possible of expression directly and immediately in pric> reductions, whereas it would be possible if a reduction of 10.~ were made. Mr Coopci agrees with the principle that lower wages must cheapen production and service, and that ultimately the effects will reach the consumer. What ths employers submitted to the Court wa.s that a larger reduction in wages would mean an immediate and definite lessening of the cost of living. Tho official views of ihc Association were, of course, expressed in the statement made by Mr E. H. Wyles. as president.