STANDARD OF LIVING

Evening Star, Issue 20316, 26 October 1929, Page 15

STANDARD OF LIVING

THE BASIC WAGE REDUCTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, October 25. The State Industrial Commission reduced the general basic wage from £4 5s to £3 12s 6d a week as being “ adequate for a man and his wife now that the support of children is provided for under the Family Endowment Act.” i’he rural rate was fixed as £3' 2s a week. The declaration of the new wage levels has been delayed for fourteen days to enable Parliament to consider the matter, if it so wishes. The table of deduction under the decis.on will be as follows: —Adult males, 12s Gd; adult females, Gs 9d; junior males, ss, junior females, 2s Bd. Mr Justice Piddmgton (.president of the commission), in dissenting from the decision of the majority, contended that the new figure was not a living but a ‘ ‘ catastrophe ” wage. The com mission of inquiry had been a tvaste of public time, as the present wage was no higher than was required to maintain the standard of living. Tho employers had refused to make an effort to show that retention of the present wage level was inimical to the conduct of industry within the State. Each shilling reduction represented roughly £1,000.000 in New South Wales awards. Further, Mr Piddipgton pointed out the basic wage earner was also penalised by an equal reduction under the (family Endowment Act. The Commonwealth basic wage in Sydney was £4,14s Cd, and the present level in the State was the lowest in Australia. The Trades Hall to-day condemned tho new basic wage as outrageous, and declared that Labour must organise for the destruction of the Government, which was conniving at a reduction ot wages. CONSIDERATION BY GOVERNMENT. SYDNEY, October 25. Mr Lang, the Leader of tho State aipositjon, to-day -described the 12s reduction as the most calamitous thing that this State has experienced in recent years, and the resignation of the Bavin Government alone could allay the panic and prevent the disas ter which is threatening the commercial community. Mr Bavin, on tho contrary, counsels calmness. He declared that he realised that the economic results of a large decrease in the basic wage would necessarily have far-reaching effects and would require serious consideration by tho Government. He promised to give Parliament an opportunity to consider the position next Tuesday.