War Bonus.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13565, 2 December 1916, Page 5

War Bonus.

V-^_ INCREASE TO BOROUGH WORKMEN. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held last night, the Mayor (Mr J, A. Nash) presiding. There were also present: Crs. M. O’Reilly, L. R. Bryant, E. L. Broad, G. Kendall, E. Hv Grabb, H. Seifert, F. Rolfe, and C, N. Clausen. The first business before the Council was a notice of motion by the Mayor that a further war bonus of 5 per cent, would be given the Council employees. The Mayor said that he proposed that the Council should be given an increase of five per cent, to the labourers and a bonus of five per cent to the staff. The staff should get a bonus, so as to confirm the principle of a war bonus. They*(would all agree with him when he said that the cost of living had shown a material increase. Some of the staple products had increased considerably, i the necessaries of life during the last six months having increased by fully 10 per cent. This was the opinion of experts. Freights had gone up 400 per cent, and so in consequence had the cost of living. He was not in favour of strikes, but he had to admit that the award of £2 12s a week to the drivers was bjslow that entitled by them. No man could keep a wife and family that sum. The total cost to the Council, would be £l6O for the labourers and £47 10s for the staff for the remainder of this year. That was a small amount to come out of the general account, but the principle should be affirmed. At the end of the financial year ■ the Council could consider whether the staff be granted a further increase or whether they be put on the same footing as Ih'e men. Cr. O’Reilly seconded the motion. The cost of living had gone up by leaps and bounds and it was only right that the 5 per cent, increase should be granted. Cr. Clausen: “What are the wages?” The Mayor: “The labourers get £2 12s 6d a week, to which is added a war bonus. ,f

' Cr, Clausen contended that the rais- \ ing of minimum wages was not a fair ; thing. It mightn't be fair to give £2 12s 6d to a married man, but what about the single men? He found that very few put their shoulders to the wheel to, help themselves. He was opposed to the increase on principle. They were raising the minimum too high— The Mayor: “We are not raising the minimum. We are only* giving I the men a war bonus." j Cr. Rolfe said that personally he : was quite in accord with the increase in wages. The employees were complaining that they were not receiving a living wage. He was a. believer ; in more work and more pay, but not in less work and more pay. In these times, when the labourer was scarce, opportunity should be given to, the , men to work an hour later and get I paid for it. | Cr. Bryant spoke in favour of an I increase to the lesser paid men. They i deserved it. >

| Cr. Crabb spoke strongly in favour of the motion, which he considered i was but an act of justice to, those i primarily concerned. He made an exception of the highly-paid officials. He pointed out that this increase ; meant a full extra amount of £1250 I in wages; this he did not object to • where the lower-paid men were _ concerned. They must have a living ■i wage. But he did object to highly- : paid officials being further increased, 'as it was necessary to consider the ratepayers ’ interests. Cr. Broad moved an amendment. He considered that the increase should be 10 per cent, as far as the staff was concerned. Cr. Kendall thought that there should be no exception. The cost of I Jiving touched the highly paid men ; also. ' ~ , x , It was eventually decided to grant ! an increase to all employees receiving | less than £220 of another 5 per cent. With regard to the men receiving £220 and over, a question of a war bonus was held over to next year.