WAGES ON THE RAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9742, 6 March 1914, Page 5

WAGES ON THE RAND.

225 PER CENT. HIGHER THAN IN EUROPE.

(By Electric Telegraph—Coptbight.) 'Pbr Prkpb Association/) Received March 6, 8.45 a.m. CAPETOWN. March 5

The Economic Commission's report finds that the cost of living on the Rand is 40 per cent higher than in America, and 80 per cent, higher than in Europe. Wages are 40 per cert higher than in America, and 225 [H'r cent higher than in Europe, but as the miners labour under many disadvantages, their "ages are not unreasonable. Competition between natives and Indians in the ► killed trades is negligible. The report discountenances the Government decreeing a standard wage. Voluntas v arrangements between employers and workers are more satisfactory. It is essential that employers recognise trade unions. The report recommends the protection of nonunionists by the State. White strikers had caused considerable unrest among the natives, and short r hours were recommended with higher pay for overtime. It described the Federation of Trade Unions ae the second line of defence against industrial war, and urged employers not To refuse to meet, the Federation. The commission was unable to conceive whv the Federation officials were refused recognition as the men's professional representatives, and considers the demand that trade unions should forego political activities outside the question of recognition, but any over-persuasion in recruiting for unions, involving violence and other illegal action, should be sternly repressed.