N.S. WALES BASIC WAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18090, 15 May 1922, Page 8

N.S. WALES BASIC WAGE.

FOUR-SHILLING REDUCTION

~ RESISTANCE THREATENED.

ENGINEERS GIVE LEAD.

By Telegraph—Proas Association—Coprrifiht. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, May 13. Tho Board of Trade has fixed the basic wage at £3 18s. All the Labour representatives on tho board agreed that tho row wage, which represents a reduction of 4s, was a. fair award. Tho board will again review tho wage in. October. The minority report of the Board of Trade favoured £3 15a 9d as a basic wage, contending that £3 18s was tot) high, and that tho cost of living reductions warrunted a doorcase of 6s 9d. Tho employers believe thats the board's decision Mill assist to relieve unemployment. Many preior not to reduce wages if employees work longer hours and increase production. The general feoling is that trades unions will accept the decision, buts the Labour Council threatens an industrial upheaval whan the reduction is made * effective.

A meeting of engineers carried a motion to resist any reduction in wages or increase in working hours and to undertake to act- in conjunction with all other tmiorm in an endeavour to combat any lowering of tie of living. All union leaders will meet on Monday to 'discuss tho new basic wage.

The New South Wales basic wage was previously reviewed in October last, when it was reduced from £4 5s to £4 2s. The Labour Government, however, doclinod to gaaetie the decision of the Board of Trade.