LABOUR COSTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 104, 27 January 1938, Page 11

LABOUR COSTS

Strong Criticism Voiced By Horticulturists MEN BEING DISMISSED By Telesranh.—Press Association. Christchurch, January 26. Severe criticism of labour costs was made at the annual conference of the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association. Mr. A. W. Palmerston North, presided. North Island nurserymen said that they could not pay the award rate of £4/16/- to employees when there was solid competition and under-cutting. Nurserymen were not getting nearly enough for their goods, said Mr. Just. Tomato plants had been sold at 6d. a dozen, and he challenged anybody to pay £4/16/- with such prices ruling. When nurserymen were able to charge a fair price to the public for - their goods they would be able to pay decent wages. In one district where there were eight nurseries, seven had dismissed their employees and were converting their farms' into family organisations. The tendency was one which the Governjnent should regard with the gravest alarm if ifr wished to preserve the welfare of the workers. Strong exception was taken by members to Government servants growing and selling seedlings. Appreciation was expressed of the attitude of the Government toward afforestation, river control, scenic preservation, and the eradication of noxi-. oils weeds, and it was hoped that the Government would continue energetically its action in these directions. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. A. W. Just (Palmerston North) ; vice-president, Mr. J. J. McMillan (Lower Hutt) and Mr. C. L. Burrows (Gore); secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. V. Phillips (Wellington). The next conference will be held at New Plymouth. SERVICES OF WELLINGTON MAN RECOGNISED Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, January 26. A_declsion to institute a competition at the 1939 national flower show m recognition of the services of Mr. T. Waugh, Wellington, was made by the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association at the annual conference today. A silver cup and miniature cup will be provided, to be called the Waugh Cup. The type of competition, which will be open to members of the association only, will be decided on later. For 30 years Mr. Waugh has taken a leading part in the work of the association.