The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1903-11-14 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

STANDARD RATE OF WAGES CLAUSE.  The Lancashire and Ciaohire Federation of Trades and Latour Council forwarded a long OOUi.toUflJChOfl 10 the Council 011 the desirability of inserting in the conditions of contracts a clause compelling contractors to pay the standard rate cf wages. The Federation pointed out that "The rosolution adopted by the flovernment many years back has been productive of great satisfaction in the various department* where it has been in operation, and a very large number of corporate bodies throughout Me country have already adopted a clause on the same lines, including the Mere-hester City Council. The object of the Trades Council who 'rapport this application is prompted by a desire to place employers of labour upon an equal footing when competing for work, and at the mom time to compel a living wage from those employers whose principle and aim is to pay low wages and work long home. regardless of what may be considered just to the workers, or what is being done by other emmkgers whcee treatment of their workpeople commands respect." Mr. James Tomkinson. M.P., moved the following sysolution:—"That in the conditions of contracts which in future may be entered into by the Council, a clause 'shall be inserted which shall compel all contractors when competing for the work to undertake to my tho standard rate of wages, work the recognised number of hours, and observe the accepted conditions of employment in operation in the district in which the work is to be carried out." Mr. J. E. Barlow, M.P., moonded the resolution. Mr. W. IT. Lever, in supporting the motion, said that this was a prinoiple that had been recognised in most professions. Re believed it had worked for the good of the community, and if adopted by that Council would work for the goad of Cheshire (hear, hear). It would only be operative against contractors who were inclined to avail themselves of the state of the labour market to give a lower rate of wages. It would be entirely inoperative against the TIMM of  , great _ cont-ractona and eMployere of labour. it would enable the Council when it received any tenders to gunge more accurately the relative meribi of the various contractors. In speaking as a sm.aal employer of labour in the county (hear. hear), and as one who had had something to do with Trade Union workmen, he believed that the question of fixing a minimum wage for the workers ens a right one, and one that had operated generally as a principle for the good of the community; and that the opposite principle of free and turreetricted competition as bo the, Odd° of labour amongst employers was not a healthy one. He did not only support the motion on the queetion of wages. as he agreed with it in every ponsi,ble phase. He believed the Oouncil would be doing a service to the county by carrying the reeohntion. Several members addreeeed the 00=64 on the motion, Mr. Tomkineon being twitted by one or two speakers upon introducing a form of protection. Upon a division being taken, the motion was lost by 21 votes to 17. Means. Clark and Lever voted in favour of the motion. Alderman Smith. Alderman Evans. and lir. Bailey did not vote, and Mr. Birehall and Mr. Wright were absent.  H. FL F/ELD, LLICITED, the woll known Dentists, have only ODD address.-88, Oxtonroad. Gas, Ether, or Chloroform administered at patients' home, or above address. no 7--3  gorat ant elligettre.  LAST WEDNESDAY'S " NEWS " 0011tEllled : Lowing Article on "The Case of Mr. R. J. Russell " ; People Are Saying; First Town r—npit Meeting; Birkenhead Guardians ; Chester Assizes—lnteresting Action by Ellesmere Port Distriot Council ; Neston Man's Distressing Suicide; County Court Claim by Park Cricketers; Funeral of Mr. William Mawby ; Protestant Meetings; shocking Fatality at Docks Railway Station; Aged Woman Burnt to Daath ; Parkgate Fisherman Drowned; Yllesmere Port, Football, and Hockey Notes; Various Police Cases, etc.  The Rev. Canon Knox called upon the Lord Mayor of Liverpool at the Town Hall on Tuesday, felicitated him upon his election, and signed his name in the visitors' book.  DIMMER'S, 24, Church-street, Liverpool. purchase Jeweie and Plate for cash or in exchange. Old Jewellery remodelled to modern designs.