FARMERS' BURDEN

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 36, 11 August 1927, Page 10

FARMERS' BURDEN

INCREASES TN WAGES

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. In his presidential address to the Canterbury Sheep Owners' Union, Mr. E. Jf. D. Morten criticised the operation of the Arbitration Court. "With regard to representations being made by the various fanning associations throughout the Dominion urging the repeal of the Industrial Conciliation and Ai-bitration Act,"' said Mr. Morten, "I would point out that it does not necessarily follow that if the present Act were repealed no protection would be available for the worker against sweating and unsafe and unhealthy conditions of working. These, where they are not already covered by statute, would require to be provided by additional legislation in the interests of both workers and employers."

In comparison with pre-war days the price of primary produce had increased by 48 per cent., while everything required by the farmer, mainly as the results of the Court's awards, were increased by 91 per cent. The receut awards of the Court directly affecting the sheep owners placed an additional burden on the industry of approximately £150,000 per annum.