20
AVERAGE RATES OF WAGES FOR LABOUR.
Transport Workers.
Tram drivers $36 to $45 per month
Conductors 30 to 39 ,,
Bus drivers 50 ,,
Working hours nine per day. Free uniform. Bonus at end of year.
Railway workers (Government).
Engine drivers $540 to $1,000 per annum
Firemen 330 to 480 ,,
Guards 600 to 1,000 ,,
Signalmen 600 to 1,000 ,,
Station Masters 1,100 to 1,800 ,,
Booking Clerks 600 to 1,000 ,,
Telephone operators 480 to 1,000 ,,
Female Workers in Factories.
Cigarette making $0.40 to $0.60 per day
Knitting factories 0.20 to 0.50 ,,
Perfumery 0.20 to 0.60 ,,
Confectionery 0.20 to 0.60 ,,
Working hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. One hour off at mid-day. Overtime from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at day rates.
Domestic Servants.
Employed by Chinese $7.00 to $20.00 per month
Employed by Europeans... 15.00 to 30.00 ,,
Gardeners 15.00 to 30.00 ,,
With free lodging and with Chinese employers generally free board.
AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS, ETC.
1930. 1931.
Rice (3rd grade) 9.2 cts. per catty 8.6 cts. per catty.
Fresh fish 26.2 ,, 25 ,,
Salt fish 33.7 ,, 32 ,,
Beef 21 ,, 21 ,,
Pork 19 ,, 23.2 ,,
Oil 12 cts. per 7 catties 12 cts. per 7 catties
Firewood 10 cts. per 7 catties 10 cts. per 7 catties