In The Herald: 1932
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday January 12, 2009
* Unemployment had become serious, and H. Gordon Bennett, president of the NSW Chamber of Manufacturers, said the government was not doing enough. Other states could attract more work because labour was cheaper, he said. In NSW in 1830-31, #4357,000 was paid for the dole, compared with #1532,000 in Victoria, #841,000 in South Australia and #141,700 in Queensland.
* Gordon Bennett pointed out that in NSW the basic wage was four pounds, eight shillings and sixpence a week for 44 hours, but in Victoria it was three pounds, three shillings and sixpence for a 48-hour week and in Queensland it was three pounds, 14 shillings for 48 hours. The basic wage in all other states was less than four pounds and all had 48-hour weeks. "How can any manufacturer [in NSW] compete with that?" he asked.* Testing of the nearly completed Harbour Bridge (pictured) was to begin. At midday the contractors, Dorman, Long and Co, would hand over the structure to the Department of Works, which would put a train across to lay electric cable. That would be followed in February by a heavy locomotive to see how the structure fared. * The commandant of the New Guard, Eric Campbell, addressing his organisation's Lane Cove division, said the premier, Jack Lang, would not be opening the Harbour Bridge. He said Lang had failed in his pledges of personal integrity, individual security and the sanctity of contracts, and had to be removed from office. A petition would be sent to the King to have him removed, and that had already gained 100,000 signatures.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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