QUESTION OF WAGES.

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1929, Page 7

QUESTION OF WAGES.

LEADER OF LABOUR PARTY INTERVENES. WESTPORT, February 13. Yes’erday afternoon, Mr H. E. Hol lanct M.P.. Leader of the Labour Par ty, received a telegram from Warkworth,. intimating that 34 men had been sent to Wellsford by the Labour Department, on the understanding that they were to be paid at thc rate of 14i a day, and’that tbo Engineer had refused to start them unless they would take the work on contract at ls a yard. The mdn contended that it was impossible for ‘.he average man to earn 14s a day on the job, since they would have to do wheeling in addition to pick and shovel work. They considered that ten to twelve yards would constitute a heavy day’s work. Mr Holland immediately wired the Prime Minister drawing his attention Io the position, and urging that thc men be employed on standard wages, in line with his (SilJoseph’s) announcement in -the House last session. Last evening the Prime Minister replied by wire to the effect that ho was having urgent inquiries made through the Minister of Public Works, and would advise Mr Holland later of thc result.