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3. The European resident, unlike the local labourer, purchases many articles which have to be imported from countries with sterling or gold currencies. He is therefore affected by variations in the exchange value of these currencies as expressed in terms of the silver dollar. The collapse of the American dollar caused a considerable cheapening in the prices of articles imported from the U.S.A., but although the silver dollar showed a gradual improvement in its exchange value vis-à-vis sterling throughout the year, no noticeable effect was apparent in the local prices of articles imported from England. It is a commonplace that the adjustment of local prices always lags behind a rise in the sterling value of the silver dollar.
AVERAGE RATES OF WAGES FOR LABOUR.
Building Trade :--
Carpenters $1.15 per day. Bricklayers $1.10 Painters ** Plasterers $1.10 Scaffolders $1.10 Labourers (male) $0.70 (female) $0.50 Working hours, nine per day. Time and a half paid for overtime. Free temporary quarters provided on the building site and communal messing at cheap rates.Page 22
Shipbuilding and Engineering :-
Electricians $1.45 to $1.80 per day. Coppersmiths $1.20 to $1.80 Fitters $1.00 to $1.80 Sawmillers $1.00 to $1.40 Boilermakers $1.00 to $1.50 Sailmakers $1.00 to $1.50 Blacksmiths $0.80 to $1.20 Turners $1.00 to $1.40 Patternmakers $1.00 to $1.40 Labourers $0.50 to $0.80 Over-time-time and a half. Night work-double time.Page 25