PUBLIC WORKS LABOUR

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 10

PUBLIC WORKS LABOUR

AVERAGE OF 17/3 PER GAY RISE OF 5/1 SINCE ELECTION [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 3. The daily earnings of workers employed by the Public Works Department during the first month under the new Public Works agreement averaged 17s 3d over the whole of the Dominion. This was 5s Id higher than the average paid in November, 1935. The comparative averages were made available by the Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple), in an interview when explaining his determination to stop trouble on the jobs under his control. The average daily earnings of the workmen on public works for the two periods, November, 1935, and June, 1936 (when the first advance payment was earned) are as follow; —

The Minister stated that the averages given were incomplete for the whole month. It had been impossible to obtain information for the whole of the month of June as the second pay had not been made. The figures for the first pay, which was in advance, had been secured,'but he was certain that with all the month’s figures available the new average would be higher even than that shown. “ I quote these figures to show to the people of the Dominion that I have endeavoured to do something to raise the standard of living of the public works men,” said Mr Semple.

Nov., June, 1935. 1936. s. d. s. d. Whanga'rei 11 0 15 11 Auckland 12 6 16 11 Tauranga 11 2 16 3 Gisborne 12 2 17 8 Napier ... ... 12 6 , 17 4 Taumarunui ... 12 6 17 7 Stratford 11! 6 17. 5 Wellington 12 1 16 11 Nelson 15 4 19 11 Greyniouth 11 « 17 0 Christchurch ... 12 2 20 2 Dunedin 12 4 17 2 Waitaki Hydro 14 0 17 0 Dominion averages 12 2 17 3