COST OF HIGH WAGES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 4

COST OF HIGH WAGES

xo th bpitoji of ts* rates,

Sw>-ln a statement just published the Minister for Public Work* (Mr Semple) gives particulars of the rise in pay of the men employed on public works from November, 1038, to the present date. Details are given for all the districts in the Dominion, and it is shown that the average rise has been no less than 8s Id per day. In the Christchurch district the rise has actually been 8s per day—from 12s 2d to 20s 2d, or over CO per cent. Furthermore, the Minister says that the figures are incomplete and that he is certain that when all the* figures are available the averages will be even higher than that shown, ’This sounds staggering,

and it seems to be the intention of the Government, to judge by the legislation which has just been passed, that all the wage-earners of the country shall share in similar increases. At the close of his statement Mr Semple very kindly tells us that he thinks the public has a right to know the facta-of the position because the public has got to foot the bill. It seems very strange, but Mr Semple, together, I suppose, with his Labour colleagues of the Government, appears to regard “the public" as some kind of an imaginary body quite outside the ranks of the workers, whereas it should be plain to everyone that the workers or wageearners themselves comprise the vast majority of the public. It therefore amounts to this, that the workers (or the public) have simply got to foot the bill for their own increases, and this is very plainly apparent in the rise in the price or everything that is taking place to-day. It is difficult to see what good that is going to do for anybody. I am very much afraid, to judge from appearances, that the Labour Government, with all its high ideals and good intentions, is working on the wrong lines, and it seems likely that the wealthy people, if there are any such in New Zealand, will And a means to protect themselves In the future, as They usually have in the past, no matter what any Government may do.— Yours, etc.,

GEORGE INGRAM.

July 5, 1936.