RATES OF PAY ON RELIEF WORKS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 62, 10 September 1921, Page 6

RATES OF PAY ON RELIEF WORKS

THE PROPOSED SCALE.

The following letter was cent by Mr. Mitchell, M.P., chairman of the Civic League, to the Mayor (Mr. E. A. Wright, M.P.) :—' "Sir, —In regard to the appeal now being organised by the Civic League it is essential that the public 'should know,' as early as possible, the rate of wages to be paid on the proposed relief work, for such will be a very great factor in their willingness to contribute. We note and approve your desire to employ men on the co-operative principle where possible, when the earning of those employed will be according to their ability and willingness. We trust, however, the fact that many of the men who will undertake this work are discharged clerks atict others entirely unused to manual labour, and, however willing, will not be.able to do the same amount aa a man accustomed to it, will be allowed for when settling the price of the work. We respectfully submit the following proposal :— (1) All suitable work to be carried out on the co-operative principle, Where ■ ■ \

this is not possible, an hourly rate is suggested which will give the worker the following pay per day : All men on .works, 10s per day; (2) to wife of married man, 2s per day; (3) for each child under 14 years of age, 6d per day; single men who are the sole support of dependents to be treated on the same basis as married men. "This would give the following rates of pay :— Single man, 10s per day. Man and wife, 12s per day. Man, wife, and one child, 12s 6d per' day. Man, wife, and two children, 13s per day. ! Man, wife, and three children, 15s 6d per day. Man, wife, and four ohildren, 14s par day. Man, wife, and five children, 14s 6d per day. Man, wife, and six ohildren, 15s per day. "We wish to point out, however, that this is relief work and the amount suggested relief pay, essentially for men with families, which it is hoped will tide them over until they can find other employment." . Yours sincerely, (Signed) G. MITCHELL, Chairman Civic League. A reply has been' received from the Mayor that the proposal met with the general approvjal of the Council, and would be given effect to on the proposed relief works.