FARM LABOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1927, Page 8

FARM LABOUR

EVER-INCREASING COST PROTEST'TO COURT • (By; Telegraph.), : . . . (Special to "The Evening: Post.'.') ■ • : : ■ ; ; ::,;DJJtfEDIN, 'This' Dajv :When_;the ; musterers, ■;packers;•; and drovers' ■•' dispute;, came before' th-e ■ Arbitration ■} Court, ".to-day,. Mr. -Cobkson, for : the' employers, said 'that - a- ; new award had;been:made for the. Canterbury .district.' It v was> a-very- greet disappointment *to s" thie -■ sheep Towners '-. in this district-.to •■>learn' that the Court, notwithstandingjthe position of (the i indußtry,' had;awarded- a' further increase in'wages. . I '(What ,1 desire .tV stress most ■ strongly,''.; proceeded • Air. ' Cookson,.;'*'is the , fact ithat the econ'oriiie position of; the farmer- is not:.receiving due considerations Not only has he to bear.fthe- direct increased cost of all "the labour; he ..employs, but,-as a- consumer of -town' -made <::gopds, he has all/ the increases- in' the cost of: their" production p'sasedon^o.him. The cost .of all farm: requirements isinow from 60 -to 100. perl.cent. 1 above-the 1914 prices, far in excess of 'the' increase in the: values of 'primary; produce. It is .generally admitted'that ;the primary 'products' are the;.real;basis'of:the .prosperity.' of the. country, .but• they, cannot continue- so if, thej'cpst -of production is,- increased, aiid;increased without: any regard to thie value of .output, and , this: is-iiot'fde-termined • by. the ■; Ts attempt to; convince- the -Court' that no; increase in wages should': be .for- Ot'agb and; .Southland" is, Mn view^of ' -the CouH.'s award,' s.dmething in ■. the ..nature of. a! forlorn; hope, b'ut-I cannot forbear; from making this protest on,behalf of' the.- employers I represent.'.' , ■; . -...'.-;. ■'„:/:.] "The Court.reserved .its decision. <