THRESHING MILL WORKERS

Evening Star, Issue 18156, 22 December 1922, Page 8

THRESHING MILL WORKERS

WAGE CUT REFUSED. GENERAL BONUSES REDUCED. A Christchurch message states that tho Arbitration Court has declined to make tli j 33i per cent, wage cut for which tho North Canterbury threshing-mill owners applied this week, but it was allowed the May and November general bonus reductions. In his judgment the court says : “ The employers claimed a greater reduction than the two made by the court's general order on two grounds: (a) That tho price of the now season’s wheat was not guaranteed by tho Government; and (b) that tho farmers were unable to pay tho present threshing rates, which were fixed when tho prices for cereals were higher and more stable.” After reviewing the wage rates provided by the award less the two cute, tho court sa vs:—

“On piecework, taking the average working week as fifty hours, the not wage works out at Is 7|d per hour and found. When the conditions of the work are taken into consideration it cannot be said that Is 7-fd per hour and found is excessive at the present time. Farmers gave evidence stating that Is 6d per hour and found was the ruling wage for ordinary harvest labor in the district, and it items to ue that lid an hour is nob an unreasonable margin. Wo do not dunk wages can bo reduced much, below the amount indicated by the cost-of-living statistics without unduly affecting the standard of living of tho workers. Regarding tl o ability of the farmers to pay the threshing rates, it appeal’s from the evidence ihat on last year’s rates about 3d a bushel represented wages. It does not seem to us that a reduction of the rates of wages can materially effect the position, of tho fanners. If it costs 6d or Is more a bushel to grow wheat than tho sale of tho wheatwill realise, tho relief must come from some other source than wages alone. However, other costs are coining down, and wo are inclined to the view that it will bo found that stores, coal, repairs, etc., will cost less next season than they did last season. The question of the desirability of New Zealand continuing to grow all the wheat needed for local consumption was discussed, but we do not think that matter is one on, which we should express an opinion. Tho granting of subsidies is a matter for the Government and Parliament to decide. In any event the financial position of the farmers does not depend on tho price of cereals alone. North Canterbury farmers all go ni for mixed farming, and the prices now obtainable for wool, .mutton, lamb, and butter are considerably higher than it w a ,s generally expected they would to. The fanners will naturally grow what it best pays them to grow, and although the threshing-mill owners will be prejudicially affected if Ires wheat and other cereals aro grown, we are satisfied that a severe reduction in tho mill workers’ wages would nob materially affect the situation, and it would inflict undue hardship an the men. For these reasons we have decided not to reduce tho rates of remuneration below the rates now payable under the award.”