AUSTRALIAN BASIC WAGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 June 1937, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN BASIC WAGE

INCREASE GRANTED [BY CARLE —PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT.] MELBOURNE, June 23. Increases in the basic 'wage, averaging 5/- for all States, and covering workers under Federal awards, were granted by the Commonwealth Arbitration Court to-day. The new scale of rates is as fol-

The Court's judgment, which was unanimous, affects nearly the whole of the metal trades industry, most of the State transport, workers, and manul'acttiring interests. The ratio of workers interested in New South Wales is about six in every 10. The renjaining employees are under State awards. The increase, it is estimated, will cost the New South Wales Government an extra £500,000 a year.

A hurried estimate by the Commonwealth Statistician is that workers in llie Commonwealth will benefit to the extend of £6,250,000 per annum. The increase will be applied in two sections so as not to bear too heavily on industry. Half will be paid out on the first pay day in July, and the other half from the first pay day in October. About 300,000 persons will be affected in the Commonwealth. Maritime workers, who will receive an increase of £l/1/6 a month, together with pastoral and gas employees, will receive the whole increase as from the first pay day in July. The rates for shearers and station hands have been raised all round. 'Pho Court, in announcing its decision. said: “Auer grave consideration we are of the opinion that the present degree of prosperity in tho Commonwealth and the existing circumstances of industry make desirable an appreciable increase In tl. > basic wage.”

lows: — £ 8. d. Sydney 3 18 0 Melbourne 3 15 0 Adelaide 3 12 0 Brisbane 3 14 0 Perth 3 14 0 Hobart 3 14 0