FARM WAGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 58, 10 March 1937, Page 13

FARM WAGES

WAIKATO COMPLAINT

WARNING BY DEPARTMENT

Complaints that farmers in the Waikato either through ignorance or reluctance have not yet complied with the provisions of the Agricultural Workers' Act covering wages and accommodation for farm workers have become so numerous that a warning to farmers to cover themselves against prosecution or civil action by their employees has been issued by the Labour Department (states a Hamilton correspondent). Ine commencement of organised inspection of farm conditions has made the matter an important one for the farmer. Complaints received by the Labour Department are chiefly concerned witn wages paid to female workers. Under the Agricultural Workers Act which came into force on October 1, 1936, the rate of pay for female adult farm employees was fixed at £2 2s 6d with board and lodging or £3 without. An ! amendment to this Act designed to remove what the farmer considered _ a well-founded grievance, was passed, introducing a'means whereby a lower scale of wages could be paid to women who did no other work on the farm than for spells in the milking shed.' _ Provision was also made .in this amendment for lower wages for the physically injured or disabled or for incapacity through old age. 'A system of permits was thus instituted, and it was *made illegal for a farmer to employ at the reduced wages a female who had no covering permit. The onus was thus thrown on the farmer to make sure his female workers had permits if employed at the lower wages, but, although' the permits have been available since October 1, many have not done so. The farmer is liable not only for full wages, but also for retrospective payment extending as far back as October. Ignorance1 is thought to account largely for non-compliance with the Act. More recent regulations which also have not been strictly observed are those covering accommodation provided by the farmer. The state of repair of the building, together with heating, lighting, and ventilation requirements and the size of the rooms provided are all covered in legislation operative since 'February, 3. It is explained that it is incumbent on the farmer to make sure he has kept within the law.