BUILDING COSTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27510, 3 October 1950, Page 6

BUILDING COSTS

Reflection Of Rates For Labour HEARING OF CLAIMS To provide an adequate standard of living under present conditions and to provide a margin above the rates for unskilled workers in order to attract “ the best type of apprentice,” a weekly wage of £l2 was required. This was the submission of Mr S. Ikin, who represented _ the Otago and Southland carpenters, joiners and machinists in the hearing of their award claims before the Court of Arbitration yesterday. The matters in dispute included overtime, country work, special work, termination of employment, and a claim for an hourly rate of 6s during the first week of employment and £l2 a week thereafter. The existing rate is 3s lid an hour plus cost of living allowances. Since September, 1948, some 50 members had resigned to commence business on their own account and this showed their dissatisfaction with their reward as journeymen, submitted Mr Ikin. He stated that there had, however, been an overall rise in the union membership.

The present labour costs were already placing houses beyond the financial capacity of the average man, stated Mr H. C. Osborn, appearing for the employers. Any alteration in the rates would automatically be reflected in the cost of building. The employers sought to retain the minimum existing rate and the right to define it as the hourly rate. Mr Justice Tyndall presided, and associated with him were Mr W. H. Hewitt (employers’ representative) and Mr F. C. Allerby (workers’ representative) . Decision was reserved.