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180

Exhibit No. 11. Railways Department's Statement. Rates of Pay by Leading Mercantile Establishments in Wellington at Present Time (October, 1911).

These rates are applicable to persons of more than average ability. For average men correspondingly lower rates are paid —in some eases 25 per cent. less. Men who are dull or otherwise unsuitable either remain stationary or are retired. In illustration of this it may be stated that in some of the establishments where two or more hands were engaged on same day in same branch, the efficient men are receiving 50 per cent, per annum more than the dullard, who stopped at £2 2s. per week. A bonus varying from £15 to £25 is given when operations have been satisfactory during the year. Fourteen days' leave on pay is granted, but it must be taken during slack season. No accumulation is allowed. In special circumstances extension is granted, each case being dealt with strictly on its merits. Employees have certain trade concessions in respect to articles purchased from their employers. ■m -mm- 1 Jt . 1 . SW 1* ."11 .v. * .-

Note. —Members of the staff engaged in mercantile houses are expected to return to duty at night when necessary, and frequently work very long hours. Especially is this the case during stocktaking and the wool season. No payment is made for the overtime thus worked.

| Minimum. Maximum. Increments. A. Office boys and girls. . .. 10s. per week . . 25s. per week .. 5s. per week (annually). Typists and correspondence \ 25s. . . 60s. clerks Ledger-keepers and general ac- 35s. .. 60s. counts (ordinary) Ledger-keepers and general ac- .. 80s. „ counts (principal) Assistant accountant .. 90s. per week 110s. Chief accountant .. £300 per annum £400 per annum. B. Office boys and junior assistants . £20 .. £52 Two of £10. one of £12. Ledger-keepers and clerks (ordi- £156 £175 nary) Principal ledger-keeper (special £2os ,. £234 work) Accountant . . .. £300 ., C. Office hands .. . . 25s. per week . . 60s. per week . . 5s. per week (annually). Cashier .. .. .. j .. £208 per annum. Ledger-keeper .. .. '' .. £285 ,, Accountant .. .. .. £300 D. Clerks and ledger-keepers .. ' £76 per annum £200 Assistant accountant . . £250 .. £300 Chief accountant .. .. j .. £500 E. Junior clerks .. .. £25 per annum £10 to £20 per annum. ,, (after three months) £4o £ 160 per annum. Correspondence clerks .. £150 .. £250 ,, Securities find legal . . £300 ., £350 Head salesman .. .. .. £350 Principal clerk in charge shipping £300 per annum £400 Accountant .. £400 „ £500 F. Clerks .. ■ 55s. per week .. 60s. per week. Ledger-keepers (ordinary) . . 60s. .. . . 65s. ,, Principal ledger-keepers .. .. 80s. „ Cashier .. .. .. .. 60s. Accountant .. .. ■ ■ 100s. ,, G. Ledger-keepers .. .. 50s. per week . . One receiving 55s. after 8 years' service. Cashier .. .. .. . . 70s. per week. Head of department. . . . . . 120s. ,, Ruling wage for ledger-keepers . . 50s. and office hands H. Ledger-keepers .. .... 65s. Cashier .. .. .. 80s. Accountant (who also acted as 150s. manager, frequently for long periods) Typist, cashier, and general office .. 30s. after 10 years' service. Increments.