LAND OF HIGH WAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 14

LAND OF HIGH WAGES.

FREE SPENDING OF MONEY. FALSE STANDARD OF LIVING. CONDITIONS IN AMERICA. "In spile of (lie high wages which American workmen receive, New Zealand workmen, with their lower wages, arc really in a much better position." This is the view of Mr A. Spencer, president of the Auckland Employers' Association, who, with Mrs Spencer, returned by the Niagara yesterday from a holiday trip to the United States. American workmen admittedly received phenomenal wages, but they wero countered by (he false standards of living in America, said Mr. Spencer. li. was 110 uncommon tiling for an unskilled labourer to earn £2 a day, but there were so many inducements to spend money 011 luxuries that ho was 110 better off than he would be. 011 a much smaller wage in New Zealand. Living was very dear, and clothes and ordinary household commodities were sold at easily double the price paid in New Zealand. " High wages and the pernicious hire purchase system arc ruining (lie American working man," said Mr. Spencer, "I sincerely hope the system will never bo allowed to develop in New Zealand to the extent it has been developed in the United States. It is astounding the number and variety of goods that are purchased on this system under terms which arc apparently easy, but which surely rob the working man of the money lie so easily obtains." Mr. Spencer said he found thero were Jingo numbers of girls working in offices who received £5 a week. They livqd at homo and yet had to be given allowances to enable them to dress and live decently. " I do not think peoplo realise the tremendous amount of over-production in the United States," Mr. Spencer said. " Many factories are working only three or four days a week, and this in spite of the fact that there are about 4,500,000 unemployed. Every industry seems to be affected in this respect. I did not make investigations into the motor industry, but I should say the same stato of affairs exists there. In California thero is a motor-car to every 2i people. How this will affect America economically is difficult (o predict. It seems that there will be even more unemployment in the near fulure, but (he resources of the country are great." Mr. Spencer said he was astonished to see how little home life there was in tlio United States. A great number of married women had to work to supplement the earnings of their husbands. They demanded luxuries for themselves and work to be able to get them. This, of course, ruined home life. A housewife in America rarely thought of cooking fresh food. She bought a tin opener and tinned foodstuffs. Such conditions did not augur weil for the future of the country. POLICE COURT NEWS. INDIANS ASSAULT BAILIFF. INCIDENT IN GREY'S AVENUE. Incensed at what they considered to be, the unwarranted intrusion of Julius Parlh, a bailiff, into their home in Grey's Avenue, two Indian fruiterers, Joham Bhagvan, aged 38, and Bhana Gaga, aged 20, ejected him. Charged in the Police Court yesterday with assault, each pleaded guilty. It was stated money was owing on a truck held by one of the accused, and that Parth called to collect. According to Senior-Sergeant Cummings Parth had not explained his errand and had walked into the Indians' room. It was only the allegation that the assault had been made with a tomahawk that prompted the police to bring the charge. For the accused, Mr. Singer said Parth struck the first blow. Parth had been paid £5 to cover his expenses. Each accused was convicted and ordered to pay the expenses, totalling ss, the magistrate remarking that if any bailiff had gone into the Indians' house as Parth did he stood a chance of getting a knock on the head. "Look here, Your Worship, I did not want to let my friend down; I just did a fool's trick and got on a drinking bout and spent his money," said Roderick Austin Elder, aged 38, clerk, who pleaded guilty to stealing £lB belonging to Henry C. Luckstedt, stationer, with whom he had been staying. Chief Dcteetivo Hammond said Elder was given £lB by Luckstedt to buy some articles. Instead he went on a drinking bout and spent half the money. 111 admitting accused to probation for 12 months, the magistrate ordered him to make restitution of £9. Realising the police were looking for her in Whangarci, a young girl who stole, a fur necklet from a. dance hall ill Whangarci ran awav to Auckland. Charged yesterday with the theft of tho fur, the girl, whose name was suppressed, pleaded guilty. According <0 Chief-Detective Hammond she had practically given herself up. On the recommendation of Major Annie Gordon, female probation officer, tho caso was adjourned for six months, during which time accused will be under the. supervision of Major Gordon.