FARM WORKERS' CONDITIONS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22017, 15 February 1937, Page 7

FARM WORKERS' CONDITIONS

PROTEST AGAINST NEW REGULATIONS

COMPLIANCE REGARDED AS A HARDSHIP

Protests against items enumerated recently in an announcement of accommodation conditions for farm workers under the Agricultural Workers Act were expressed by several South Canterbury farmers interviewed at the week-end. It is considered that the expense to the farmers in conforming with the specified conditions will be great, and that, because of the small numbers of men employed in certain districts, and the limited duration of their employment, the necessity for conforming to those conditions would be unfair.

It would mean a fearful expenditure to the farming community, said Mr A. E. Dobson, president of the Temuka branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. The matter would no doubt be discussed at the next meeting of the Dominion executive, and might be brought before the Arbitration Court, Mr Dobson added. No higher prices had been made available to the farmers to counter the higher production costs, vet this further expense might have to be met. No farmers believed in putting men into hovels, but all realised that good sleeping accommodation was a necessity. The conditions were probably worse where there were numerous hired men on a farm, but in Temuka there were at most one or two men in addition to the farmer's family and for all other purposes than sleeping the hired men were treated as members of the family. It was quite reasonable that something should be done generally, but farmers would not be able to provide hot water and baths, as suggested. Conditions in South Canterbury were not bad, he thought, and he had heard of no complaints. The primary complaint among the men was against the higher wages paid by the Public Works Department. Mr W. Buchan, past-president of the branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, said: "It would be ridiculous if we had to comply with the conditions, for many of the farmers about these districts get two or three men only at harvest time. I do not think anyone could complain about conditions here. Most farmers have a whare to take an extra man or two for temporary accommodation. It might be a little crowded for a short time, but the windows and doors are left open, and there is plenty of fresh air, and I do not see what more they can want. If the worst comes to the worst, the men can be accommodated in the farmers' houses, and by many of the farmers this is done normally. "I do not think the position is bad here, and it will be hard on the farmers if they have to comply with the conditions issued."