PRICE OF FRUIT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 109, 18 February 1937, Page 10

PRICE OF FRUIT

SAFEGUARDS FOR GROWERS. SUBSIDY ARRANGED. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 17. If the price for fruit on tho New Zealand market falls below an economic level fruit-growers will receive a subsidy, a sum of £40,000 having been set aside to meet possible contingencies on internal prices. This announcement was made by the Minister for Labour (the Hon. H. T. Armstrong) to-day. In industrial agreement covering workers in the fruit industry lias been completed after a series of conferences between the Minister and representatives of the New Zealand Workers’ Union. The wages agreed upon are an advance on those paid previously, and the Government promised to help growers if prices for produce fall below a level which will give them a reasonable return. Mr Armstrong stated today that the export guarantee which is contingent on prices realised overseas would bo continued, and a subsidy would bo paid on locally-coiisifmed fruit in the event of the price falling below the economic level. An amount of £40,000 had been set aside to meet possible contingencies on internal prices. “I want to make it clear,” said Mr Armstrong, “that this is not a straightout subsidy. If the growers receive a good price they will not be helped. We arc simply ensuring that they will be reasonably remunerated for their elforts. We believe that every/one who gives service is entitled to a fair return. “The agreement is not everything that tho New Zealand Workers’ Union desires, but it puts the workers of the industry in a better position than they have been before. The agreement is to operate only until September 30, and it can then be revised. Hie agreement also deals with tho weekly rates of wages for youths, tho payment of casual seasonal workers, tho rates for whom will bo Is 8d an hour lor adult male workers. Is 4d an hour for female workers, Is an hour lor youths and girls up to 18 years, and Is 2d an hour for those between IS and 21 years. Provision is also made for the observance of statutory holidays.”