WAGES OF FARM WORKERS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25638, 29 October 1948, Page 6

WAGES OF FARM WORKERS

OPPOSITION M.P. URGES INCREASE COMPARISON MADE WITH WATERSIDERS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 28. Farm labourers would be as rare as the moa in 20 years if £8 18s was all they were to be paid for a sevenday week, said Mr S. W. Smith XOpposition, Hobson) in the House of Representatives yesterday. On the basis of serviced rendered, it might be more appropriate if farm workers received £lO a week for their 'seven days’ work and wharf labourers received £6 a week for their 40-hour week: Mr Smith said farm wages would have to go up end farmers would have to claim recompense in the price of their produce. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr E, L. Cul.en) said he could not under* stand why a larger number of young ojd not go to work in the country. That was still the best type of employment. Most employees in the country were single. Their wages were £6 18s a week and they were generally found. In some respects the man in the town was no better off. Mr Cullen said he thought that after war hysteria had died down New Zealand would get back to normal and the farmer would be able to obtain all the labour he needed.