IN WARTIME

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 125, 28 May 1915, Page 4

IN WARTIME

CORPORATION AS EMPLOYER j DUTY -TO SERVANTS. *' That the corporation employees who have petitioned for an increase of wages, and which matter was held over by the former council, be informed that the council cannot depart from the terms' of the existing agreement." This was a clause in ■ the report, of the Finance Committee of the City Council which was bound to provoke debate. In moving its adoption, the Mayor said that the committee had decided that it would be inadvisable to disturb the existing award, which terminated in October. Any increases granted on account of the war would lead at once to requests from employees in the tram\v?,ys, staff, and other "branches of the municipal service. It waa advisable that men shouM accomodate their needs to the present circumstances. Sacrifices had to be made. They had a. number of married; men applying for work, and if tho principle were carried to its full length it was doubtful whether men. in employment should not shatfe their work with others not so fortunate. Councillor Fuller did not agree with, the recommendation and moved that it bo referred again to the Finance Cony mittee. He asked if the committe© had, figures as tc cost of any alteration ? The Mayor said that "they knew what was paid *in other cities, and Wellington was as good as all and better than some. . ' Councillor Fuller contended that it was nonsense to say that demands would follow from other employees. Tramwaymen, by overtime, could earn more than £2 10s a week. An award' was made recently for a- labourer's wage of Is 3d an hoar, and the council was paying only Isi l£d. It was not necessary for the council to lead, but it should not lag behind when private employers led. The Mayor said builders' labourers, receiving Is 33, were not paid for wet weather. Councillor Hutcheson said it had been said that it would ,be an anomaly to increase the wage to labourers. If there be an anomaly, it was in asking^ decent married men, with wives and children to keep, to live on £2 12s 8d a week. It was a public scandal. At least £2 lGs a week should be ;paid. The .council was not doings He duty as representing a, wealthy city, in dealing out in this 'huckstering fashion » miserable 4ole of £2 12s 8d a week, On the Harbcwr Board, when it was proposed l /to shorten thehours of labour,, there had been an outcry about precedent and anomaly ; but" f they had started the anomaly at the bottom of the tree, and if it spread to th* top, then well and good. Business had not been disorganised as predicted. The servant was worthy of his hire^ and be, for one, was not satisfied to sit at the council and see this wag© Tho^ argument that there was an agreement was f valuelees. Every contract between a company or an individual and the Government had been broken, the Government paying the difference 'between the cost now and before the war. The council should follow suit, and it .could not be denied that the cost of the home had increased- enormously. He seconded Councillor Fuller's amendment. Councillor Hildreth endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker. While there was no doubt that city finances were iv a bad way, Hey should not sacrifice the principle of common justice. The Mayor drew attention to- the fact that these men were .paid for ten days' holiday in the year. "Alt this trouble a-risefe," said Councillor Thompson, "through? the council constituting- itself a Conciliation Council and Arbitration Court." These matters should too settled by the Arbitration Court. Councillor Fitzgerald said it was a matter of impossibility to get good men to work at the Corporation wage of Is lid per hour. They gave to the kindergarten what they denied to the general labourers; yet it was equally important that tho child should have comfort in its name, as well as kindergarten education. The Mayor, in reply to Councillor Prost, said •he would take the matter 'back to the Finance Committee ; and as it was a matter for all councillors, he would invite all to be present at the meeting. The sentiments expressed by Councillor Hutcbeson were in the minds of many who, nevertheless, felt a certain restriction on account of their great responsibility. The clause was accordingly referred back.