23

MINIMUM WAGE LEGISLATION IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

It can be seen that nominal wages rose during the war but that
the jurisprudence of the court did not adapt them fully to the increase
 in the cost of living, even after the provision made therefor
by war-time legislation, although there was some effort in that
direction. On the other hand, there has been only a slight decrease in
nominal wages and rather an increase in real wages during the postwar
 depression. The influence of the legislation has been rather
conservative, retarding somewhat adaptation to industrial conditions.
The war-time rise in prices was rather lessened through net increasing
 the wages to the same extent, thereby avoiding a further corresponding
 rise in prices. The decrease in nominal wages during the
depression was less than the decrease in prices. The purchasing
power of the workers was thereby maintained and an influence
exerted against a gravation of the crisis. The jurisprudence of
the court had a yd op influence.
Effect on General Level of Wages

The report for 1926-27 of the Department of Labor (p. 5) gives a
comparison of minimum rates under the awards and average rates
paid to workers (other than foremen) in the four chief centers of
New Zealand:

TABLE T.—Minimum rates under awards and rates generally paid in specified
occupations in New Zealand, 1926-27

Occupation

Bricklayers... a EE SO Howe es RG
Carpenters and joiners... _____llllTTTTT
Electrical WOTKerS. ooo
Painters... J [TTT
2lasterers. [TTT
Plumbers... i RA mes
tonemasons_ _....___.

Bakers...
Boiler makers, molders, engineers, motor engineers,
sheet-metal workers, and tinsmiths.
Boot makers. ___.__._..__________. mem mmemm—cema
Cabinetmakers. ....__________ ————e
Engine AFiVerS. oe
POTIOE.. sim gran gin micit mt mmm rte merece me
Waterside workers_ ee mee

Award rates

s. 334d. and 25, 4d. emu. .o_.
.3d. and 2s. 3%d...___.... __
2d. and 28. 8d...
28. 8A. oe.
2s. 3%4d., 2s. 4d. and 2s. 4led__ __
2s. 2d. and 2s.3d.__. 0.
My 2s.1%34d., 25.3%d., and 2s.
he Beier er wor
To a lr re re a

“and 2s, 14d. TTIIIITIT
and 2s. 2d. ___
Sow

ls
Xs

Rates
generally paid

ev
26-30
2 4 -2 6
23 -2 8
> 3 -2 6
8 -3 0
12 -2 6
2 134-2 6
2 14-2 434
2 3
1114-2 2
23-28
2 114-2 8
1104-2 8
2 4

It can be seen that there is some difference in the rates, as employers
have an interest in attracting more clever workers through higher
wages, but the difference is very slight. Individual wage contracts
have been superseded by agreements and awards, and there is practically
 no room for individual differentiation. In countries where
individual contracts prevail, for instance in the United States in the
women’s trades, the development is quite different, as will be seen
later.
Influence on Industrial Peace

The small number of strikes has been shown above. They do not
invalidate the claims for such legislation, as strikes are prohibited
only for registered associations. The 13 important disputes in the