WAGES OF LABOURERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18567, 27 November 1923, Page 8

WAGES OF LABOURERS.

THE PREFERENCE CLAUSE. MINIMUM WAGE QUESTION. [BY TELEGRAPH.-- CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Monday The questions-of preference to unionists and the minimum 'wage were discussed at a conciliation council meeting held today in connection with the dispute regarding the wages of builders' general labourers. Mr. W. A. Grenfell, agent for the employers, said that nq obstacle should be placed in the way of a man earning his living. . , , Mr. A. Fletcher, employers' assessor We do not object to the union.; we do not object to the minimum wage; we do not object to decent conditions, but to have a preference clause for general labourers is something '• contrary to British justice. Mr.' J. Read, workers' assessor, said that the union had to exist and it was the only means an unskilled labourer had of securing justice. / Mr. Fletcher: I , can see no reason in the wide world for a preference clause for general labourers. Mr. J. M. Campbell, workers' assessor: The preference clause is to protect the unskilled labourer. Mr. Grenfell: There is always the minimum wage. ' ' ..a' Mr. , Campbell : How could he get the minimum wage without the union and how could the union exist without a preference clause ?

It was provisionally decided to aecept the Court's preference clause. On the question of the clause for increased wages, Mr. Fletcher said that the issue was so important that it should be left to the Court.

Mr. Read said the union would certainly endeavour to get the Court to see the matter in a different light from that which had guided it in the past. The average employer was prepared to pay more for the average labourer than the minimum, but was not prepared to say so. Mr. Fletcher said the employers wanted to be in a position to pay qualiSL-d men more than the minimum wage. After further discussion the wages question was referred to the Court. The minimum wage for general labourers demanded by the union was 2s an'hour. The employers offered Is B|d, the rate in the present award.