BASIC WAGE PROPOSAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22532, 24 September 1936, Page 12

BASIC WAGE PROPOSAL

AGE OF APPLICATION DISCUSSION BY CHAMBER [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS association] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The age at which the basic wage should apply was discussed by the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, following a request from a city firm employing a large staff for a definition of.the council's attitude on the question. Mr. M. G. C. McCaul said that a man trained as a doctor did not reach his full capacity and prime until he was 30 or 35 years of age, whereas a man on pick and shovel work was at his prime at 21. Ho said the ago should vary with the trade or profession. Mr. C. J."B. Norwood, president of the chamber, said he had in mind that there was a great group of young men, the product of the slump, who were now getting toward the period when the basic wage should apply, but who had not had a hope in the world of being useful except at pick and shovel work. Some of those bovs had all the ability, if given the opportunity, to make a future for themselves and climb out of the rut into brain work or skilled handicraft. Mr. Norwood suggested that the question be referred to the Employers' Association.