DAIRY WORKERS' WAGES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 109, 9 May 1924, Page 11

DAIRY WORKERS' WAGES

ARBITRATION COURT DECISION RESERVED. ■■'»•:

(BI TBLE<IKAPH.—PKESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND,; Bth May. Matters relating to wages and conditions of employment in the dairy industry were continued before the Ajbiiration Court this afternoon. ■.

. /Mr. 'Wright, who appeared for ' the dairy companies, said that it was hardly fair to draw a comparison with Canterbury, which did not export to the same extent as Auckland. Regarding youths, ho said that they were practically under apprenticeship. He submitted that the hours could not be reduced without deterioration of the product*or increased cost of production, -which it would mot be reasonable, to expect the companies to bear. The larger-portion of the product was exported/and the price depended on the Home markets. .Practically all the companies were co-operative, suppliers receiving payment in exact proportion to'-the price-realised by the company, less" the'cost of manufacture. Thus tli9: position of suppliers must be considered. : They were not" now receiving as much as in April, 1923. For the ten months ended March, last, compared With the corresponding period of the previous year, London prices declined on an average by over 17s per cwt. Cheese showed a slight improvement, milk powder about 3£ per .cent, decrease, while casein was now unpayable. The employers did not seek a reduction in. wages, _ but they estimated that the cost of living in the country was 10s less than in' the ,cities. Neither were increased hours sought.

Decision was reserved.