SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1927, Page 11

SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL

GREATER OUTPUT PER UNIT PREMIER’S APPEAL TO DOMINION. NEED TO RELIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the course of a reply to a deputation to the Government to-day, which drew attention to the depression in the timber industry, and urged the imposition of higher djities on imported timber, Mr. Coates referred to a remark which had been made by Mr. F. Turley, secretary of the Timber Workers’ Association, to the effect that 9s and 12s a day was fair pay for unemploye workers, engaged on works arranged temporarily to meet their needs. Mr. Coates gave an absolute denial to the suggestion that he was concerned in the cutting down of wages. The policy of the Government was to maintain the standard of living, and there was only one way of doing that, and that was by increasing the output per unit. While we were up against difficulties it was a matter for everybody to get at it for all they were worth. It was necessary, in the present circumstances, for everyone to give a better return if they could do so. He did not say that could be done in every case, but where possible, it was important that a better return should be got, in order to meet tho present competition. Mr. Holland, M.P.: “Do you suggest that 9s a day can keep a married man and his family?” Mr. Coates: “I suggest that a man who is ufiemployed is very much better off with 12s a day that ho would be with none. We are doing all we can to meet the position.”