NEW BASIS FOR PAYMENT

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

NEW BASIS FOR PAYMENT

SUGGESTION FAILS TO EARN SUPPORT (PJA) INVERCARGILL, October 28. ' Opposition was met by the chairman (Mr W. Baird) when he moved, on behalf of the Athol-Garston branch, at a meeting of the Southland provincial executive of Federated Farmers, ‘that wages for casual farm laoour be put on a maximum basis, and that breaches of the award be penalised?’ The remit was lost. • opposing the remit ssttl that a man in desperate need of labour would pay extra, and take the consequences. They considered the scheme would not work. The awards for harvesting and shearing were on a minimum basis, Mr Baird said. Some farmers were not keeping to those awards. They paying above the award rates, men farmers had to fall into line. The Athol branch considered that all awards should be on a maximum rate. For instance, the carpenters’ award was on a maximum basis, and recently, in the Hutt Valley, an employer and an employee had been fined for breaches of the award. When farmers were seeking an increase in produce prices the award rates were quoted. Mr Baird said the position was award rates did not apply. Rates well in excess of the award rates were being paid. If there were a definite limit to what a farmer could pay a man, then the good man would come down to ?\ff e °£ the indifferent man, said Mr T. Double. Farmers would take tne best man every time and would be *° P a y him above the award. Mr Baird: That penalises the smaller tanner. He has to compete with the man who can afford to pay above the award. a r The secretary (Mr G. Anderson) said there were as many farmers paying above the award as those paying award rates.