DEMANDS BY FARMERS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25160, 16 April 1947, Page 5

DEMANDS BY FARMERS

PAYMENT ON 40HOUR WEEK BASIS

RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT HAMILTON

<P A.) HAMILTON, April 15. A demand that payment for all farm produce be based on the 40-hour week principle met with solid support at a meeting of farmers in Hamilton this afternoon. The Theatre Royal was filled, and a large crowd gathered outside to listen to the address. The meeting was convened by the Hamilton sub-province of Federated Farmers. Speakers emphasised that all farmers were asking was that they be paid on the same basis as other sections of the community. That all farmers were united on the question, and were in earnest, was indicated by the excellent attendance, commented Mr H. D. McDonald, who presided. “Why was this mass meeting of all farmers, farm workers, sharemilkers, and their womenfolk called? asked Mr McDonald in opening the meeting. “The executive of Federated Farmers subprovince) became aware, through its branch contact, of the growing unrest among the farming community at the continually increasing disparity in treatment between farmers and other sections of the community. It feared that the leaders of our farming industries might not be as firm in their demands for just treatment as they would be if they were sure of -the united backing of their rank and file. “The executive of the Hamilton subprovince of Federated Farmers, through their rank and file system of making contact with ‘the man on the farm,’ felt so confidently that it had gauged the pulse of the average far.farm worker that it has called this meeting to demonstrate not only to their respective farm industry leaders, but also to the country that:

“Justice and Equality” “(1) The time has arrived when the farmer and the farm worker can and will unite in a single front to demand justice and equality ot treatment with other sections of the community; (2) that we will resist in our own interests, and in the interests of the country, to whatever extent may be deemed necessary by our leaders, the return of the farming community to serfdom, for that is what is taking P i! ac % to : day A (3) thal we refuse to be the Cinderella industry of New Zea--7?«-l J 4 lu we a B ain demand (united this time/ that the Governimplement the pledge thatwe be measured by the same yardstick as other industries (5) that we demand of our leaders that they accept nothing less than our just dues, taking into full consideration the Government’s pledge; •j w ' Pledge ourselves individually end collectively to support our industry leaders in demands on our behalf.

“I would take this opportunity to point out that the demand for payment on a 40-hour week basis does not mean we are asking farmers and their employees to work only 40 hours a week.” said Mr McDonald, “but that the price for all farm produce shall be sufficient to cover all costs and to compensate farmers and their employees for the extra hours worked.” Moving the resolution. Mr F. L. Onion, of Tekowhai, said that the size of the meeting gave a clear indication of the feelings of farmers, and a warning to the Government of un rest in the primary industry They had shown that they were not satisfied with the position, and demanded economic justice. Mr Onion asked that the promise of Mr Nash made fn 1935 and contained in the Primary Products Marketing Act. 1936. be implemented.

The resolution was “That this meeting demands that prices for all farm produce shall be sufficient to cover all costs, and to compensate farmers and their employees for overtime hours worked compared with the rest of the community.” A resolution “That this meeting pledges itself individually and collectively to fulfil instructions our leaders may give if their demands are not granted in full.” was carried unanimously. It was further resolved: “That we ask that all branches of Federated Farmers take similar action, and that the results of this meeting be telegraphed to the dairv industry conference. Dominion headquarters of Federated Farmers, the Prime ,Ministei and the electoral college of the Meat Board.”