COST OF LIVING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18334, 17 February 1920, Page 4

COST OF LIVING.

INCREASED WAGES FAVOURED. DISCUSSION BY CITY COUNCIL. Councillor J. A* Flesher moved the following motion at last night's meeting of the City Council: —" In view of the decisions of the Arbitration Court to adjust the remuneration of workers to the rise and fall in the cost of living, the various Council Committees concerned be requested to give the question careful consideration hi so' far as it affects the council's workmen, with power to act." He said that he approved of the suggestion that a married man should, be paid in accordance with the number of his children. This country needed population and local bodies should consider the position of their workers in the face of the increased cost of livingMr H. Hunter seconded the motion. He said that the city had given an extra bonus to membeis of unions, establishing the principle that a iiigher standard was required. Councillor T. H. Armstrong said that the council should consider the increase its employees were entitled to. The cost ot living had increased markedly in Christchurch, notably in respect to rents. Since the court had fixed wages in Christchurch some nine months ago, it had increased men's wages by 4s a week, but if they had been increased in proportion to the increased cost of living the extra wages would be 10s or 12s a week. The purchasing power of wages had decreased in Christchurch to a greater extent than in any other New Zealand centre. Councillor C. P t Agar said that the ordinary laws of supply and demand should be observed and that the wages of the council's employees should be on the same basis as in pre-war days. Councillor F. Burgoyne supported the motion.

The Mayor said that the Government had recognised that the married soldier should be subsidised. If it was necessary to do that ia war time, it was necessary also in peace time,, and the Government should step in and subsidise the ordinary married man as it had subsidised the married soldiers, Councillor E. H. Andrews said that the members of the council's office staff should be included in the effect of the. motion. He understood that some married men clerks employed by the council received only about £175 a year. The great middle class, which Tijas outside the pale of the Arbitration Court, was having a very haid time at present.

Councillor D. G. Sullivan said that the City Council should set a good «*- ambple to private employers. The employer, in these times, seldom came forward to meet the employee, but waited 1 until he was forced to give, practically at the point of the bayonet. The workers wished to get back to prewar conditions, but they would not be satisfied with that. They asked that promises made during the war should be fulfilled as soon as possible. Councillor J. O." Jameson said that there were* two sides to the question. All employers were not trying to oppress their employees., and all butchers., bakers, and other tradesmen were not exploiting their customers., Councillor P. H. Herbert said that workers deserved more consideration now than they ever had received before.Councillor J. W- BeaMand said that the time had arrived when men would Bell their labou* in the highest market, and the bulk of the wages in the building trades at least, was nigher than the rate* fixed by the court. He did not think that the council should fix a standard higher than the general standard. The motion was carried unanimously.