RATES OF CASH WAGES OF AGRICULTUR.\L LABOURERS 75 



According to the statistics published b\- the Board of Trade in the re[»ort 

 as to earnings and hours of labour in agriculture in 1907 (Cd. 5460), which 

 were based on returns received directly from individual farmers, the ave- 

 rage value of the extra earnings in cash and kind generally varied from about 

 2S. to about ^s. a week. So far as the Board of Trade is aware they had not 

 altered to any considerable extent up to the outbreak of war. As is explained 

 below, however, their value has probably since appreciated considerably. 



If the cash rates in each county for ordinary labourers not provided 

 with food be tsken for purposes of comparison, it will be seen that their great- 

 est increase between January 1914 and January 1917 took place in England 

 in Durham {8s. id, a week), and in Wales in Flint and Merioneth {8s. 6d.a 

 week). The county in which the increase was least was in England Hereford 

 (4s. 2d. a week) and in Wales Cardigan (35. 8d. a week). In only seven coun- 

 ties in England and Wales did the increase am.ount to less than 5 4-. a week; 

 in twelve it was 5s. or between 5s. and 6s., in eighteen 6s. or between 6s. and 

 ys. , in eight ys. or between ys. and 8s. , and in five more than 8s. a week. These 

 figures do not concern Westmoreland and Anglesey from wliich only in- 

 formation insufiicient for statistical purposes was received. 



In addition to the increases in weekly rates of cash wages, shown by 

 the table, the increase in extra earnings must be borne in mind. It is im- 

 possible with the information which is available to indicate the amount of 

 this latter increase, but it may be pointed out that the present higher prices 

 must have increased the value of mo.st allowances in kind, In some cases 

 they have also been increased in quantit}. There is also evidence of the 

 increase of piece-work rates and har\'est wages. A correspondent in Essex 

 states that piece-work rates in that county in 1916 were from 25 to 50 per 

 cent, higher than before the war. In Norfolk it is the custom to pay labourers 

 a lump sum for the harvest and this usiially amounted to £7 or £7.105. 

 before the war, biit in 1916 its minimum amount was £9.55. Payments for 

 overtime have also increased considerably during the war, owing mainly 

 to the shortage of labour and to some extent to the introduction of the Day- 

 light vSaving Act, 



Since January 1017, the date to which the latest available returns ref- 

 er, the wages of the workers on the land are known to have increased, owing 

 partly to the scarcity of labour and partly to the rise in the cost of living. 



