A LIVING WAGE REQUIEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12929, 27 July 1905, Page 6

A LIVING WAGE REQUIEM.

A WELLINGTON CASE

[by telegraph.— correspondent.]

Wellington, Wednesday

"It is easier to tell him not to steal than to show him how to make,, ends meet on 16s a week," remarked Chief-Detective McGrath at the Magistrate's Court yesterday,' when prosecuting a. young man for theft..-* The man was employed by f D. Benjamin and Co., and received 30s a week*.. He had'* wife in delicate health, and one child, M was paying 14s a week rent. He had stolen" articles at various times, aid' disposed ;of them to a'secondhand dealer'for a few 6flil- : lings, in order, so' he' told the detective, to' provide delicacies for his ailing wife.. , He' had: come to Wellington from Auckland', 'aid * his employers there had given him a 'good' character. "It was want," , added' the detective, * " that had:.. tempted the" man- toj steal.",; Dr. McArthur.said he was, sorry the accused. \ He would •be ; convicted, aid ■ ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. ' - ' , ' Mr. Harris, manager for Benjamin and Co., informed a Times representative that' the.man' was employed as an assistant in tie" packing-room and stores. He had l been 1 well recommended.; The firm was unaware until! accused was arrested that he was 'a'married' man. When engaged he stated that he was single, evidently, Mr. Harris said, to secure the position. ■■■'■■ . _ % j >,• . > •', The case was referred! to in Parliament to-day by Mr. Ell, who has'given notice of a question, regarding it. Mr. Ell wants to know if.'the Minister for Labour .does not : think a minimum wage law should be pasted, in order to protect a man from being compelled to accept a starvation wage fixed by the law of supply and** demand for labour; also, if he "will ; cause an inquiry to be made by an officer of the Labour De-1 partment as to the I rent paid by working men in Wellington and suburbs for ordinary: homes. *