PUBLIC WORKS WAGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 15

PUBLIC WORKS WAGES

COUNCIL ADOPTS SCALE WHANGAREI COUNTY DECISION [BY TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] WHANG Alt EI, Friday Repercussions of the new Labour legislation became apparent at to-day's meeting of the Whangarei County Council, when a contractor asked the council to increase the price of his accepted tender for the supply of metal from 10s 3d to 14s 6d a cubic yard. He said payment of increased wages by tho Public Works Department mado it necessary for him to do the same and was the reason for his request. The matter was referred to tho riding member and the engineer, Mr. R. R. Menzies, with power to act. The engineer said that in all future estimates for work he would- have to allow for increased wages, which would amount to a considerable sum in tho coming year. During discussion on a motion to adopt the scale of wages and conditions fixed by the Minister of Public Works, Mr. F. Elliott said it appeared that tho section of tho community to suffer most was tho farmers. Salaries were being increased lor all classes, but the unfortunate farmer was told that ho would get a guaranteed price, which, on present indications, would bo little in excess of that received for the season just ended. Mr. T. N. Blake said a 40-hour week woidd hold up metalling in the summer. Tho motion was carried, the rate for casual employees being fixed at 14s a day.