"HOPELESS POSITION"

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 67, 16 September 1936, Page 4

"HOPELESS POSITION"

GROWERS OF FRUIT

STATE AID IMPERATIVE

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

HASTINGS, This Day.

The opinion that the fruit-growing industry would be in a bad way and its position hopeless unless the Govern-, ment came to the growers' assistance was, expressed, by Mr. C. H. Slater, agent for th eemployers, at a sitting of the conciliation council hearing the, industrial dispute concerning storemen and fruit packers. "It is going to be a case of the survival of the fittest on the prices that now appear in view," said Mr. Slater.

"But you have said that last year was a good year," said the Commissioner, JVlr. M. J. Reardon.

"For some growers it was," replied Mr: Slater, "but over tho average it was not. One good year in four is not sufficient. There are men who., are 'just lingering on their places and receiving advances from merchants.

"Any additional burden goes back to the producer, and he cannot possibly stand any more burden at present. If we get assistance from the Government, then it might be a different matter..^ Because we are opposing an increase in wages and disputing the 40-houi1, week, I don't want you to assume that we are opposed to the Government," continued Mr. Slater. "We are not opposed to the Government, and wish to do" all we can to bring about fulfilment of their wishes, but it is not always possible."

The scale of pay for youths agreed on was as follows: —16 years and under, 18s a week; 16J years, 225; 17 ye»rs, 265; 17£• years, 30s; 18 years, £2; 181 years, £2 10s; 19 years, £3; there-] after, adult rates. ! It was agreed that the proportion of youths shouloVnot be .more than one to every three adults or fraction of three. ■•,., \ ' ■' ■ '-.'.■, ■;.'.- '--.■ .. ■ .'■ | , OVERTIME QUESTION. j "Well, what about overtime then?" asked.the Commissioner after a futile attempt to settle adult wages. Mr. Slater: We are not going to pay overtime at all.- We've agreed to dis■agree on the question of wages and h(}urs;'aiid the,overtime linked up with tliem^:,.;-,'.' ■■:..' .;:'■ ~:',,, : The Gommissioner: I don't see how you are going to get out of paying overtime. The Court has no power to give you exemption.

"Well, we'll go to a higher tribunal," said Mr. Slater.

Mr. Miller (for the union): You mean go to Parliament?

Mr. Slater: Yes, we will go to it. It has no intention of strangling industry, and will be reasonable.

"I- -will be- very- surprised if it will agree io let ; you ehiploy anybody for unlimited hours," said the Commissioner.

"It is only for about two months of the year we want to," said Mr. Slater. "You can average it out over the whole year at 40 hours if you like."

The Commissioner then drew> attention to. Sunday work, but here again Mr. Slater said the industry hoped to obtain exemption because of perishable "goods'.-" He" "mentioned that the Railway Department co-operated with the industry in having Sunday fruit trains'.