asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether any work is being carried out at Nurney by his Department, and, if so, whether he will state the rate of wages paid to labourers employed on the work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labourers' Wages at Nurney.
The Land Commission are carrying out works in connection with the division of the Murray estate at Nurney and the rate of wages paid by them is four shillings per day to ordinary labourers and eight shillings per day to the ganger.
In view of the fact that that wage is extremely low, would the Minister give sympathetic consideration to the question of increasing the wage so as to bring it up to the level of the wages paid by the County Council?
My information is that the rate of wages in the county is 20/- to 25/-, but the County Council wages are 30/- a week to road workers. It is contended, however, that these latter are in a different category and that they do more expert work.
In view of the fact that the local rate of wages is paid mainly for agricultural work, and that the agricultural industry is now passing through a period of depression, would the Minister give favourable consideration to the question of paying the wages paid by the County Council instead of the rate of wages paid in an industry which is passing through a period of great depression?
I will have the matter looked into.