THE WAGES QUESTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18077, 29 April 1922, Page 10

THE WAGES QUESTION

CASE FOR THE WORKER. OBJECTIONS TO REDUCTION. QUESTION OF EFFICIENCY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—JAESS ASSOCIATION-] WELLINGTON, Friday. The hearing of the employees' case regarding the bonus question was continued in fho Arbitration Court to-day, when Mr. M. J. Mack, speaking in the capacity of secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, earnestly supported the caso against any reduction being mado in wages. He declared that railwaymen, who did not all pay such high rents as other workers, and who received part of their clothing, were not able to keep pace with the cost of living on the present wages. Ho handed in family, budgets in support of his argument. Mr. L. F. Evans, of OUgo, contended that no reduction should take place until a commission was set up to defino a reasonable standard of living. Ho reviewed tbo trade outlook, and quoted various reports promising good times. Mr. Armstrong, on behalf of the Canterbury unions, protested against any reduction, saying that the 1914 standard of living had not been sufficient, and that tho wages of to-day did not enable them k> livo up to that standard. If a commission wero appointed it should go closely into tho question of rents. Reduction of wages was no way to improve the prosperity of the country. Mr. W. Maddison dealt exclusively with tho subject of a fair standard of living, saying that if a proper standard were set up it would result in increased output, greater industrial peace, and increased national wealth. Mr. Maddison called in evidence two doctors. Dr. Alexander Robertson said no reduction in wages could be made without lowering tho food standard and thus lowering the vigour of the worker, with less efficiency and less resistance to disoaso. At tho present tiino he could say it was unwise to reduce the pay of the worker. Dr. R. O. White gave evidence on similar lines, and said he did not see how a man with a wife and three chil-

dren could live on £4 5s a week. Mr. Fred. Fanning, land agent, gave evidence as to the great increase in rentals, and said a five-roomed dwelling could not bo rented at less [han 30s a week. A number of other witnesses were heard, and Mr. J. McCombs, M.P. then submitted a statemont dealing at length with fho employers' case.