THE WAGE INCREASE

Southland Times, Issue 24211, 22 August 1940, Page 5

THE WAGE INCREASE

To The Editor

Sir,—l believe all wages governed by the award are increased by 5 per cent, to meet the cost of living. Does anyone really believe that this is going to help anyone? May I ask if the farmer or employer is going to get, say, a 5 per cent, reduction in his costs? Not much. And no one will be any better off except the man who pays no one. No, I say; for if I as a working man get a rise in wages the employer passes it on and up goes everything and production must fall. Take fertilizers, for instance. At £6 a ton an extra 5 per cent, means £6/6/-, and so it will be with storekeepers, butchers and bakers—up goes the cost of living. The only way out that I see is to work longer hours and give better value for wages. Then the employer can meet the worker in the same way. The parson says, “I pray for all.” The lawyer says, “I plead for all.” And the producer says, “I pay for all.” —Yours, etc., PROXY. August 17, 1940.