CARPENTERS' WAGES

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 51, 29 August 1921, Page 8

CARPENTERS' WAGES

EFFECT OF SLACK CONDITIONS

A VARYING SCALE.

Conditions in the building trade in Wellington are not very brisk at the present time, and'the wages being paid to carpenters are not now so higli as the rates ruling during the war period. In February last the maximum wage was reduced from 3s to 2s 9d per hour, but only the best of tradesmen are earning that money to-day.

Inquiries on the point were made by a Post reporter, and it was learned that, while no 1 concerted move had been made by building trade employers to cut wages down, the wages now being paid to car: jienters varied from 2s 3j|d per hour, the award rate,-to 2s 9d. It was explained that the question was purely one of supply and demand. Just at the' present time there was more • labour offering than there was work to do, and employers did not deem it to be a business proposition to pay all men on the same basis. Really good workers were receiving the maximum of 2s 9d. but in fixing wages the urgency and nature of the job were taken into consideration, and many men were accepting from 2s 3Jd to 2s 6d. It was left to individual employers themselves to decide what rates they would pay, but in all probability the average rate.per hour amounted to" 2s 6d.

One gentleman connected with, the building trade, gave it as his opinion that, in view of the possibility of there being harder tinies ahead, and the fact that the building trade was at present almost dead/ tradesmen would be wise to accept lower rates,, rather than demand payment on the highest scale. "The building 1 trad.c is practically at a standstill in Wellington," 'he said, "especially suburban work. In the city only a. few big jobs aro in hand, and there isl not a, great deal being done ia the way of alterations or additions. •Things are very much quietet than they have geen for a long- while, and this assertion, is borne out by the fact that permits for alterations, additions, or the erection .of new buildings are not being sought. Owing to tile financial stringency, mortgages are hard to obtain; consequently building permits are not being taken out. In addition, people are refraining from building while wages remain high." . •

In regard to engaging tradesmen, the builders of Wellington have started an innovation in the way of an.employment bureau. , The former custom, of applying to the trades union for carpenters has been abandoned, and now all men who require work apply for it through the bureau. Men are not actually "signed on" at the bureau, but they are put fn touch with employers who may be wanting men, and with them they can make their own arrangements regarding the rate of wages to be paid. It is stated that, as far the employers are concerned, tho institution of the bureau ia> proving a great success. '