THE BASIC WAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 September 1936, Page 8

THE BASIC WAGE

AT WHAT AGES SHOULD IT APPLY? CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DISCUSSION 'li> TetegxayU—Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. Ages at which the basic wage should apply were discussed by the Council of the,Wellington Chamber of Commerce, following a request from a city firm employing a large staff for jthe Council’s attitude towards the question. Mr M. G. C. McCaul said that a man trained as a doctor did not reach his full capacity and prime until he was thirty or thirty-five, whereas a man on pick and shovel was at his prime at twenty-one. He said the age should vary with the trade or profession. Mr C. J. B. Norwood, president, said he had. in mind that great group of young men. a product of the slump, who were now getting towards the period when the basic wage should apply, but who had not had a hope in the world of being useful except by pick and shovel work. Some of those boys had ability if they were given an opportunity to make a future for themselves, because they lr climbed out .of a rut into brain work or skilled handcraft. Mr Norwood suggested referring the question to the Employers’ Association.