CARPENTERS’ WAGES REDUCED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16684, 16 March 1922, Page 5

CARPENTERS’ WAGES REDUCED.

STIMULATING BUILDING. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, March 15. Wellington master builders’ decision to reduce the wages of carpenters and joiner. 4 from 2s 9d to 2s 6d an hour is expected to induce stimulation in building which has become slack in the city. It is stated that the maximum could have been reduced many months ago but the master builders purposely refrained from taking action as they considered that the most skilled tradesmen should continue to be paid at the best possible rate. To-day. however, the position is different. It is recognised that for some considerable time past the high cost of materials and inflated wages ha|J© deterred many people from calling for tenders for the erection of houses and other premises. Now that a reduction in the maximum rate of wages paid to carpenters and joiners has been brought about it is hoped that building enterprise in Wellington will he considerably brisker. For some months past many master builders in Wellington have been paying 2s (id an hour as the maximum. The supply of tradesmen is considered to be more than equal to the demand, and in numerous instances the award rate of 2s 3fd per hour only has been paid. On© effect of the reductions has been an increasing crop of small contractors offering to undertake carpentry on tho basis of\ tender § for labour only.