FARMERS’ UNION

Evening Star, Issue 24265, 5 August 1942, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE

The monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Fanners' Union was held yesterday afternoon, Mr D. H. Cockbum (president) occupying the chair. 1 Reporting on the conference held with the New Zealand Workers’ Union on the question of wages, the Chairman said an amicable agreement had been reached. The hew rates operated from August 1. The wage for workers under the age of 17 years had been increased from 18s 6d to £1 2s and found, and for workers of 21 years and upwards the advance was from £2 5s to £2 17s 6d per week. The speaker enumerated the other advances that had been agreed to, and said that the workers were to get two weeks’ holiday or pay per year, apart from the six’ statutory holidays. Doubtless this agreement, Mr Cockbum said, would be the subject of much criticism in many quarters, but he could assure them that both parlies had done their best to bring about an amicable agreement as a war measure, and he trusted that the agreement would be accepted and honoured in the proper spirit. - The Chairman referred to a deputation from the master butchers and stock agents to discuss the question of the retail price of meat. The Price Tribunal had fixed the prices, but butchers could not buy in the open market and sell at the figures named by the tribunal without loss to themselves. He said that in the North Island the position was not so acute, as the fattening of beef was not so expensive there. Mr Cockbum said that they had agreed to recommend the executive to support the Master Butchers’ Association and the stock and station agents in their protest against the present position, and to take the necessary steps to try to rectify what was becoming an impossible situation. The action of the members who had met the deputation was approved.