BASIC WAGE RATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19513, 17 December 1926, Page 13

BASIC WAGE RATE.

DECISION IN AUSTRALIA. PROTEST !M LABOUR CIRCLES. SOME ADVOCATE A STRIKE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 7.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Doc. 16. The decision of the Industrial Commissioner, fixing the basic wage for adult males at £4 4s, the same as the previous raie, has caused widespread discontent in Labour Union circles, where a substantial rise had been anticipated. It is stated on their behalf that already, in expectation of an increase in wages, the cost of living had risen, employers in many cases having greatly increased the price of their goods. The more militant section of Labour is advocating a strike as a protest against the finding. It is stated that the employers' representative on the commission had suggested a wage of £3 18s 6d and the employees' representative proposed £6 10s. At a meeting of secretaries of trades unions the basic wage declaration was considered. No effort was made to disguise the fact that it is likely to create a very grave industrial crisis.. The meeting adjourned without deciding what action will be taken.