THE LABOURER IN NEW ZEALAND. [To THE EDITOR OF THE
"SPECTATOR."] 'SIR,—In the Spectator of March 11th appears a letter on the condition of the labourer here, and the rate of wages paid. I think it is a crying shame that "globe-trotters" seem to get the rubbish they write home inserted so often in the papers. As a labourer, in a broad sense, who has lived here for some fifteen years, I give an unqualified denial to the statement that "10s. a day is the lowest he (the labourer) will accept." Now, what are the actual facts ? Until less than two years ago, labour was leaving our shores by hundreds, unable to get work at all. Of late, a reaction, accompanied by a rise in the price of most live-stock, has taken place, and no doubt labour is once more in some request.
But, as to wages, our local Highway Board, for example, pays but 5s. a day for road-work. Our Government but 6s. to 6s. 6d. for permanent-way men, and so on. Turn to special labour, say a competent bush-feller, who may be termed a cut above the labourer, he can earn is. an hour in some parts, and by excessive strain might touch 10s. a day,- 7s. to 8s, is the utmost, as a rule. Now, these are the real facts of the case ; and your correspondent might have gathered from a recent speech of our late Governor Onslow, in Surrey, that there was by no means an unlimited call for labour at present here, unless accompanied with a small capital.—I am, Sir, &c., Hamilton, New Zealand, May 14th. THOMAS OSLER.
P.S.—The Government has let certain contracts on the railways to small parties of labourers on a co-operative system, in place of letting in bulk to a big contractor. This, in some cases, has enabled the party to divide a sum amongst them, giving to each a high rate, say 9s., of wages ; but this does not apply in any way to the Colony at large, and is only in its infancy.
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