ADULT EDUCATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16818, 9 June 1926, Page 8

ADULT EDUCATION.

UNIVERSITY TUTORIAL CLASSES THE LIVING WAGE. Last evening the Hamilton branch of the Workers' Educational Association discussed "The Living Wage." The lecturer, Mr T. N. Pcmberton explained that "wages" may be considered as "the remuneration of hired labour," or "the residue of production which goes to the labourer after the claims of land and capital have been satiated." Wages are classed as "real," (the remuneration of the hired labourers as reckoned in the necessaries, comforts and luxuries of life) or "nominal," (the wages of the labourer measured in terms of money, i.e. the aclual coins which he receives). The speaker outlined the various theories of wages and expressed tlic opinion thai the great problem of all minimum wage questions was the deciding on what basis the minimum should be fixed. Jl certainly should be sufficient lo cover the subsistence of the worker and also of his family. But then the question arose as to bow big were they lo assume the family to be? If they determined thai the family consists of a man, bis wife and say Ihrec children, it was evident that the allowance would be too small for a family of seven or eight, while it would represent far more than subsistence level for unmarried workers and for those who have no children below the earning age. In fact, if they should adopt thai minimum, the strain upon the pay roll of industry would be so great that, although all the large families were living below the level, the product would be insufficient io meet the charge. One solution which had been tried most successfully in various parts of the world was for the employers to pay a small sum for every worker into a pool, and to divide the pool out ill proportion to tho number of children in eacii worker's family. Bui, the problem presented itself as lo whether they are. lo lake into account the cases in which a person was given his board and lodgings; where the labour bad the privilege of grazing his cow or horse; and where Hie worker was able lo obtain his poods from his employer al a reduced figure, Moreover, should lliey consider (he earnings of the, other members of the family, which in some cases were far greater than those of IliC labourer? Should they allow a certain amount for expenses, as for example, where a carpenter brought his own tools, or where a dressmaker supplied her own thread? .VI things considered the estimate shoul 1 not only make allowance for ren;., clothing, food, light and fuel but also for a newspaper, payments for friendly societies, insurance, travelling expenses, and holidays. Al the close a spirited discussion held sway. The class will meet next Tuesday when, after a lecture on the "cost of living," will be delivered. Mr J. W. Walsh will tell of his "travels in China." - - ... .