WATERSIDE WORKERS’ WAGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24432, 18 October 1940, Page 3

WATERSIDE WORKERS’ WAGES

tO THE EDITOR Sir, —All lovers of justice will have read with pleasure the announcement this morning that that heroic band of silent, uncomplaining, conscientious war workers, the watersiders, are at last to receive some slight recognition of their selfl?ss devotion to duty in being awarded a 5 per cent, increase in wages by the Waterfront Control Commission.

As a member of the forgotten legion, totally disabled in the war of 1914-18. I have always considered it most unfair that these keen workmen should be asked to work or at least be present amongst the cargo on Saturday afternoons at a mere pittance of 5s 8d per hour, while members •of our legion live in the lap of luxury and have done so for the last 25 years, and have riches to the extent of 40s a week showered upon them. It is good to know that our Socialist Government recognises the justice of these thrifty workmen’s claims. This is indeed an encouragement to carry on this war for British justice. I do not. as a forgotten legioner, know anything about increases, but I believe that “ retrospective ” is a very popular word with these men. Why not make this increase retrospective to some date or other—say, the time of the Boer War or the Crimean War? —I am, etc., October 16. Forgotten.