DAIRY WORKERS' AWARD.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 533, 14 June 1909, Page 5

DAIRY WORKERS' AWARD.

'.Sir,—ln I 'your-issue'of May 29 I notice a letter signed by one "Farmer" expressing satisfaction at the decision of the Arbitration Court in, connection with tho dairy workers' dispute. If "Farmer", had left it at that, or had to some .extent enlarged on, the morits or --demerits of-the "award" as-a means of levolling up the quality of our produce, I should have been in accord with him. But when hij ventures the opinion that a manager ought to be brought under the award, at, say, 10s. a Ayeek above the first assistant,' because the work happens to'go on as wollin his absence, I say most emphatically that "Farmer's" knowledge of the. duties-and responsibility appertaining to the position of manager of a factory is very limited indeed. Speaking from an experience of over twentytwo ' years iti connection with tho management of both butter and cheese factoriee, I consider- it most unreasonable to expect that a manager who has dovoted half a lifetime to the dairying profession, and is conversant with' every up-to-date detail in connection with the process of manufacture, should be put on. a level with his assistants, at, say, a ■premium of 10s. » week above tlio first assistant's wa>zes,'- simplv because "Farmer" happens to take exegfoioa to tb* fact toat

said Bumager gets a holiday «*ery vedc or bo attending grading, and tbnt iho work goes on jußt as well in his absence. This shows wo have as good men amongst the assistants as the managers. In conclusion, "Fanner" Beys, "I am proud to think that it is so." Now, as an old hand at the business, I am also proud to think that it. is so, but not from."Farmer's" point of view. I maintain that it reflects credit on tho manager, and shows plainly that'the instruction and education of hie assistants Iras not been neglected, thus leaving him a free agent to attend tho "grading," arid by ocular demonstration and comparison of the various makes of cbeoso and butter keop himself in touch with the: exact, requirements of the London market'. As .quality is a paramount consideration in all lines of produce; I maintain thisis undoubtedly a step in the right direction. From tho tono ant] purport of "Farmer's" remarks; I am inclined to think that he must be'smarting under an wn«gmary grievanco at thc> hands of some conscientious marager, whose principles and eotions are hot akin to his own. Otherwise, he is voicing the claims of some ambitious assistant who in aspiring to tho manager's position. . '.' '■' •;'■'■ '■'.'' In conclusion, I think if "Farmer" wbhld endeavour to level np his own end of the business, by applying his talents in' the vrny oi improving the raw material (milk),- instead of throwing mod and picking holes in the ability of the he w\i\ild earn the praise and gratitude of all parties connected with the dairy industry.—l am, etc., : / . '■-'■■ Roagokokako CJheese Factory Co. Jnne 5, 1909.