APPLICATION FOR INCREASE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 116, 26 February 1947, Page 7

APPLICATION FOR INCREASE

STRONG COMMENT BY MR PERRY \ INVIDIOUS POSITION OF FARMERS (P.A.) HAMILTON, Feb. 25. Strong comment was made today by the Dominion, vice-presi-dent of Federated Farmers (Mr W. N. Perry) on the announcement that the Federation of .Labour was asking for a £1 a week increase on all awards. He said it could be regarded as one more departure from the principles of stabilisation.

“The primary producers are the only section building up a fund to be used to compensate any fall in produce prices. We have always agreed with the policy of stabilisation, and we can be agreed to a continuance only if it is administered, fairly for the whole of the community.

“Union leaders are stated to be confident that the arbitration court will grant the- increase. Where does, the farmer come in? Dairy farmers’ produce is bought by the Government, at a price which .has no regard for the hours worked by the producer or the fact that the cows must h’e milked-on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. “The time has arrived when the industry must demand that the payment to The farmer and farm worker must be measured by the same yardstick as that employed by other sections'of the community —the 40-hour week basis, plus an additional payment for extra hours and effort expended above that standard. In addition, farmers should be compensated for the extra cost brought about by the present economic position in New Zealand. It is intolerable that our great primary industries should he placed in the present invidious position.” Mr Perry urged all farmers to support their leaders in this demand.