SOME LARGE EARNINGS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 29 May 1919, Page 7

SOME LARGE EARNINGS.

BY AUSTRALIAN WORKERS. The cost of living may he distressingly high in this country, but, judging from official information from various sources this week, at least some sections of the working men of this country have no reason to complain. It may he remembered that, some months ago, a number of boiler-makers and others at the Cockatoo Island Naval Dockyards were dismissed owing to their “go-slow” tactics. It was proved that they were not doing one-tenth of the work that might have been expected of them. They were so obviously in the wrong that even their union turned against them, and they capitulated and humbly sought re-employ-ment. They were taken on again on a piece-work basis. It is now announced that these men have dropped “go slow,” and that their average during a recent period is as follows :—Platers £1 los 9d per day, hand-riveters £1 9s Id per day, machine riveters £1 2s 7d per day; platers’ helpers £1 7s 3d per day, pneumatic drillers 19s 6d, and caulkers 16s sd. Evidence about the earnings of the coalminers is now being placed before the Commission, which is inquiring into the coal-mining industry, with a view to making a recommendation about the claims of the miners for increased wages. The evidence shows that at one mine, held to he typical of many, the earnings of men—taking the average over a period of a year—are as follows; Twentytwo miners, average £l6 -5s per man per fortnight; 38 wheelers, average of £9 per man per fortnight. At Another mine—a fairly big one on the Newcastle field—the average net earnings per pair of miners per fortnight hae been £l7 Bs, witli not a great deal of broken time. These rates rule in this country among almost all large bodies of half-skilled workers.