WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144710, 19 June 1915, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

TO THE EDITOE.

Sir,—With your permission I would respectfully cull the attention of our city councillors to tho following local, which appears in your columns of the 11th lust., viz., “In consequence of tho high prices of commodities arising from the war, the Wellington City Council has decided to make a special payment to its labourers over and above the award rates of pay, such payment to remain until a new award is, determined. The rate of payment for general' labourers has been Used at Is 24d per hour, other classes of labour to bo increased in proportion at tho same rate.” I understand this increase was a voluntary act on the part of the council.. No doubt the workers of this town will watch with interest what steps our council will take in raising tho rate of pay to the labouring class of this place, as tho present rate of 9s a day is insufficient to meet the demands of the present time. Private contractors are paying 10s and oven 11s a day for tho same class of work as the labourers of this town are only getting 9s for. It is a problem for the housekeeper to solve how to make ends meet when there is a wot day, or perhaps two in one week, bringing tbo average earnings down to loss than 6s a day. A full week amounts to only £2 12s lOd.—l am, etc.,

' LABOURER,