CLERKS' UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16127, 16 July 1914, Page 4

CLERKS' UNION.

[ WOULD IT BE ADVISABLE? INTERESTING STATEMENTS. ' (Fboii Ode Own Cobbespondent.) CHRISTCHUECH, July 15. jn connection with the award recently mjLrifl in Australia at the instance of the L/'terks' Wages Board, it may be mentioned, timt there was a movement on loot about tire or six years ago in Christchurch to i'olm a clerks' union, and several meetings were held to disemsa tne question, but for some reason or other the movement did not solidify, and nothing came oi it. More recently, that is to say, about this tilpe last year, there was some more talk alfbut taking steps to form a union in Ctu'ietchurcU for clerks, but again it did not get beyond the talking stage. JSpeakiiig to a gentleman who has interested himself in the matter of clerks' wages in Christchurch, a News reporter was informed that the formation of a clerks' union in Auckland got to the length of a public meeting being held to discuss the matter, but oil this occasion the warehousemen, who were opposed to the scheme, attended in force ana managed to kill the idea. Referring to the scale of wages awarded by the board in Australia, the pressman was informed that on the whole it compared more than favourably with the scale of wages in lorce in Christchurch. It was pointed out that £1 in Australia meant more than £1 in Christchurch, as its spending power was greater. The trouble appeared to be that the scope of the award was not large enough, and a great many businesses had been exempted. It was thought that the rate lor clerks employed for wharves, piers, or lighters (tallying or measuring), which was 66s and 60s for a week of 48 hours was good. Such men would have to get about £6 12s here to be equivalent to the Australian •wage. The rate for cash clerks in retail shops—viz., 38s per week of 44 hours, was also considered to be rather better than in Christchurch. "These clerks are very often, girls,'' was the remark," and there are a good many here doing the work for less than 38s per week. I should say the rate would be about 30s to 35s in the majority of cases. 1 notice that stenographers and typists get 42s per week of 44 hours, and that, again, is better than Christchurch. Thero axe plenty of girls •doing the work here at wages ranging lrom 25s to 30s a week, though some, of course, get more. Taking it all round, I should say that the award will make Australian conditions rather better than New Zealand for the class of work affected."

Asked as to the probability of a clerks' union being formed in Chris tchnrch, the pressman was told that it was a job oi considerable difficulty to get such a union •going. A certain percentage of the men who were fairly well paid were against the proposal, and the men who were the worst off were the very ones that were afraid to move in the matter. They feared to prejudice themselves in the eyes of the employers, and were particularly afraid of losing their jobs. These causes made it hard to get a union organised, but if only the people concerned would join together heartily a very strong union could be formed which would have the result of undoubtedly bettering conditions.