HIGH COUNCIL WAGES.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20772, 4 February 1933, Page 10

HIGH COUNCIL WAGES.

TO THE EOITOS Or THE PMSS9. Sir, —It is all very fine for some people to criticise our Labour City Council for doing so much for the City employees, and nothing for the unemployed. I am an unemployed man and I back the Labour stalwarts, for they are fighting for a principle, even if that does not help me in any way to scratch along. The Mayor and our Labour Councillors determined to give the Council workers the time of their lives and they have done it. Of course, the rest of us had to go on short commons and charity, but what of that? The Council gave us all it could spare—their sympathy—and we can never forget that. I feel sure our Labour stalwarts will take it kindly if I remind them that at this juncture principle calls for another vindication. They are resolved that the standard of living of the Council employees muist not be allowed to fall. Well, ever since the exchange rate was pegged, prices have been steadily rising. The Mayor aad Mr MeCombß, as members of Parliament, will be able L .a determine the percentage of increaseit may be anything from 15 to 30 per cent. It is clearly, therefore, their duty to increase the wages ot the Council employees by that percentage, to balance the increase in the cost of living and preserve the standard fixed by themselves, in the strain and stress of heavy Parliamentary work the honourable gentlemen have probably overlooked this aspect of the case. It calls for immediate attention and another vindication of the principle to which they hold so resolutely. Wo unemployed Will Of course applaud any action along those lines.-Yotirs, February 3, 1933.