CARPENTERS’ WAGES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18432, 16 March 1922, Page 5

CARPENTERS’ WAGES.

REDUCED IN WELLINGTON. EFFORT TO STIMULATE BUILDING. (Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 15. The Executive of the Wellington Master Builders’ Association decided at a meeting held yesterday to reduce the maximum hourly rate of wages being paid to carpenters and joiners from 2/9 to 2/6. The reduction takes effect as from yesterday. A pressman was informed that the maximum could have been reduced many months ago but the master builders purposely refrained .from taking such action. They considered the most skilled tradesmen should continue to be paid the best possible rate. To-day, however, the position is different. It is recognis>ed that for some considerable time .past the high cost of materials and inflated wages have deterred many people from calling tenders for the erection of houses and other pre■mises. Now a reduction in the ■maximum rate of wages paid to carpenters and joiners has been brought about it is hoped building enterprise in Wellington will be considerably stimulated. It is stated that for some months past many malster builders in Wellington have been paying 2/6 an hour as the maximum wage. The supply of tradesmen is considered to be more than equal to the demand and in numerous instances the award rate of 2/3% per . ho.ur only has be.en-pald«, . H — 1