PAY OF ROTATIONAL WORKERS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22467, 30 July 1938, Page 13

PAY OF ROTATIONAL WORKERS

INVESTIGATION MADE BY MINISTERS In response to representations made by the Christchurch branch of the Unemployed Workers’ Movement to the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister for Education, concerning the conditions of employment of rotational workers engaged on school improvements, the Minister has advised the secretary, Mr C. F. Saunders, that the Hon. R. Semple, Minister for Public Works, has made an investigation of the position. Mr Semple has stated that it is admitted that the ‘ anomalies created by such men working under the Public Works workers’ agreement, while other scheme 13 men are governed by awards, .causes a certain amount of discontent, especially when the varying rates and conditions apply to men who are working near one another. The matter has recently been receiving consideration, and it is hoped that an adjustment will shortly be made. The Hon. H. T. Armstrong, Minister for Labour, has also stated to the movement that the question of amending certain clauses of, the Public Works workers’ agreement, which came into operation bn June 1, 1936, and does not normally expire until May 30,1939, where such clauses depart to any material extent from the provisions of existing awards, is at present under consideration by the Government, Mr Saunders said last evening that the present winter would probably establish a record for the amount of time lost by outdoor contract workers. Bad weather had reduced the weekly average time worked by men at Porters Pass over the last five weeks to an hour or two over two days.

CANTERBURY MARKETS

LITTLE INTEREST EXCEPT IN POTATOES (st on commercial editor.) Friday Evening. The only interest there is in the Canterbury grain and produce markets is still in potatoes. The announcement by the Minister for Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) that the Government had arranged to buy and ship overseas some of the surplus of the Dominion’s crop has been disappointing because of its vagueness, but it is likely to have one definite effect—that is, stabilising local prices round £2 10s to £2 15s, the levels that have now been ruling for some weeks. Hgpes that a market will be found in Australia in the near future have been dispelled by the cable announcing the Federal Government’s refusal of the request of the New South Wales Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries to allow the importation of New Zealand potatoes if New Zealand imported New South Wales mandarins.

Growers are meeting the market in the meantime, but the amount of business being done is small. A shipment of potatoes is to leave for the north on Monday, but just how large it will be is not yet known. There has been some inquiry in the last day or two for cocksfoot and white clover, but except for a few lines of dark Duns and Algerians, there is practically no demand for oats, Onions are still at the high price of £l7 a ton, but the season for them is nearly over.

Quotations

The following are the prices quoted to farmers on trucks at country sidings, unless otherwise indicated:— Wheat—Milling, f.0.b., July. Tuscan 5s lOd, Hunters 6s. Pearl 6s 2d. Oats —A Cartons to 2s lOd, B Cartons to 2s 6d, Algerian: 2s 9d to 3s. Ryegrass—Perennial 3s 9d, Italian 2s 9d to 3s. , Cocksfoot—Plains 8d to 9d, Akaroa 8d to 9id per lb. Cowgrass—6d to 7d per lb. White Clover—9d to Is per lb. Potatoes— £2 10s a ton. Onions—£l7 a ton. Chaff—£4 5s to £4 10s a ton. Barley—Malting 4s 71d, feed 3s a bushel. Browntop—M.d., 9d to lOd per lb. Partridge Peas —4s 3d to 5s 3d a bushel. Bran—Large £4 15s, small £5 ss. Pollard—Large £6 5s a ton, small £6 15s. Linseed—£22 to £23. ASHBURTON MARKET All markets remain exceptionally quiet, with very little business passing in any particular commodity. The continued wet weather has delayed all sowing operations, and a good deal of wheat will have to be resowll - , , There is a good demand for choice quality peas, but most lines have been marketed. There is an inquiry for oatensheaf chaff, but difficulty is being experienced in having lines cut owing to the sodden state of the paddocks. Barley is also required for feeding purposes. The seed market will remain ouiet until conditions are suitable for sowing. Following the announcement concerning the export of potatoes, the market has shown a firming tendency. Growers, however, are not keen to sell at present prices. , The following are prices quoted to farmers, on trucks at country stations unless otherwise indicated, sacks extra, free of commission:— Wheat— Milling Tuscan 5s lOd, Hunters 6s Pearl 6s 2d, Fowl wheat 5s lOd (all f.0.b.). „ Oats—A Cartons 2s 9d, Bs 2s 6d, Algerians 2s 9d to 3s; Duns 3s to 3s 6d, according to quality. Grass Seeds—Perennial ryegrass Is 9d to 4s 3d. Italian 2s 9d to 3s, cocksfoot 7d to Bid, red clover 6d to 7d, white clover lOd to Is. Chaff—£4 5s a ton. Partridge Peas—ss 6*d for No. 1 grade, undergrade 3s 6d to 4s 6d. Barley— Malting 4s 7Jd feed 3s 3d. Potatoes—Whites and Dakotas, £2 15s. DUNEDIN [THE PRESS Special Service.! DUNEDIN, July 29. The Dunedin oat market continues quiet. Odd lots are being placed, but the consumptive demand for the North Island is poor. The general quotation is on the basis of 3s sd, f.0.b.5.i., for B’s. The weather has affected supplies of winter feed, and more oats are being used in Otago for feeding stock than for a number of years. Offerings of oats from the country are on the light side. Ruling quotations are 2s 9d, sacks extra, on trucks for A Cartons, and 2s 6d for B’s. Undergrade are worth about Id to 2d a bushel less, . , . . Fair trade is being done in chaff. Stocks are short because of a demand from the country for feed, and Canterbury is being drawn on for supplies, Values remain unchanged, with best quality worth £6 10s a ton, ex S Certified ryegrass is short, and high prices are ruling. The market for ordinary ryegrass is steady, with little on offer. The cocksfoot market remains steady with a firm tone. Stocks of white clover are short. Cowgrass is unchanged, with little inqmry-so is dogstail and green top. There is still no export demand for brown top or dogstail. VEGETABLES AND FRUIT CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS Limited supplies of all varieties of vegetables have come forward during the week, and values are as follows.— Cauliflowers, up to 14s a dozen; cabbages, up to 13s a dozen: lettuce.- from 3s to 5s a dozen: spinach, from 3s od to 7s 6d a dozen: rhubarb, up to 7s a dozen; sprouts, lOd to Hid per lb; potatoes, plentiful supplies, market unchanged. Onions: Supplies scarce, best quality up to 8s a bag. Green peas; Is Id per lb. New potatoes, up to 5d per lb. Fruit—Apples: Good supplies coming forward, and values are as follows: Delicious, extra choice up to 7s 6d, others from 3s to 6s 6d a case, according to quality. Jonathans, extra choice 8s to 9s 6d, others 5s to 7s 6d a case. Sturmers. 3s to 5s 6d a case. Cooking apples, 3s 6d to 5s 6d a case. Pears; Choice dessert up to 4s 6d a half-case; cooking, 2s 6d to 3s. Tomatoes: Limited supplies of hothouse available, best quality lines realising high prices. New Zealand lemons; Steady supplies coming forward, and values have improved compared with last week, realising from 10s to 14s a case, according to quality and counts. Imported fruits: Further supplies of Australian navel oranges and pineapples, also Samoan and Niue bananas and Niue kumeras are expected at the beginning of next week. Eggs; First grade Is BJd to Is 9d, seconds Is 7d to Is Bd, duck eggs up to Is lOd a dozen.

DUNEDIN

(FBESS ASSOCIAIIOX TEIXOBAM.) DUNEDIN. July 29. The Waitaki, which arrived on Thursday, brought approximately 3000 cases of oranges for the local market, Oamaru and Timaru. The oranges were in good condition and they have met with a steady demand. A small shipment of Island oranges which arrived at Auckland, ex Matua, will come by rail and steamer to Dunedin, and should arrive towards the middle of next week. A

shipment of Samoan bananas will arrive on Tuesday, ex Maui Pomare, a' Lyttelton. Sales of bananas have been slow and fair stocks are held in the wholesale marts. New Zealand-grown lemons and poorman oranges are in good supply. Pears are about finished for the season. Small quantities only are now available from the local cool stores. The market is still well supplied with apples. The demand is confined tc choice quality only.