YOUTHS' WAGES

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 119, 23 May 1933, Page 9

YOUTHS' WAGES

FIVE-SHILLING MINIMUM SEVERAL OBJECTIONS The recommendation of a sub-com-mittee, that it was not desirable to fix tho wages of boys at 5s a week, was endorsed by the Citizens' Boy Employment Committee* yesterday,.and a resolution was carried stating that as a matter of policy the committee considered that it was not advisable to countenance employment at such a level. ' ' .' According to the Shops and Offices Act, boys commencing work shall bo paid a minimum of 10s a week. IA. report on the question as to whether this minimum should not be reduced was submitted by the sub-committee and a long discussion followed. The subcommittee stated that after considering the proposal from' all angles, it was of the opinion that the - possibility of getting, a greater, number of boys placed at the smaller wage was greatly outweighed by the many objections- to the scheme. ; The following objections to the proposed ss. minimum were cited:—----"(a) The policy to date in connection with country positions has been to require a minimum wage of 5s per week and comfortable home conditions. In many casds this wage' is exceeded, especially where the lad possesses any experience of farm -work. ; We are afraid that the placing of lads at. work in the city at 5s per week would bring an unfavourable reaction. from farmers, whose minimum wages and; board are equal to at least £1 perweek. - "(b) Another feature is that an unfavourable; reaction would be experienced from business men who have paid from 10s per week' upwards, if we started placing boys With their competitors at, ss. "(c) Many of the boys seeking worklive in the suburbs, involving a tramfaro of 3s 6d per week. It will be seen that no margin, exists and that this constitutes an incentive _to dishonesty, which is: worthy of serious consideration. , : . " (d) Already considerable criticism ■has.been levelled at the'committee on the grounds that boys have in 'many places replaced men. This is no doubt, to some extent-justified, but is not a reasonable coniplaint against the operations of "the-committee, but rather due to the unfortunate position in which many employers find themselves. "We fear that if the committee definitely takes the initiative in/.forcing down the wages of boy-labourers, the, committee will be the butt of strong criticism, which it mil be : difficult to'cornbat.''" " ■'■.-■• ■■■ ;:-. '"■':■■>;. .■■'.';•'■ rV "(e) As you are aware, ,the scopo of employment at 9e a week is limited, due to the operation; of tho various .shop, office, and factory awards. " h