EXERTION WAGES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 99, 24 April 1909, Page 6

EXERTION WAGES.

TRADES COUNCIL AND PRIME MINISTER.

"ANOTHER SHUFFLE."

[press association.]

- WELLINGTON, April 23. A letter from the Prime Minister in reference to a resolution passed by the Council, in regard to the exertion wage on the Otdra tunnel contract was read at the Trades Council last might.

The Prime Minister said that there was no intention on the part of the Public Works Department to interfere in a, matter between, contractors iamd their employees so long" as contractors paid the Arbitration. Court •award wages. It was incumbent upon the Labor Department to see that euch wages were actually paid. The decision come to in the' matter wiaa arrived at only after it had beemi very fully considered. The president of the Council described the reply as "another shuffle." After discussion, the following resolution was oatrried: "That this Council expressed dissatisfaction with the communication from the Prime Minister with respect to the matter of an. exertion wage, < and considers that tih« Government should stipulate in all contracts that no exertion wage whaitever be permitted. 53