Fixed Wages for Workers on Farms.

Franklin Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 119, 12 October 1936, Page 4

Fixed Wages for Workers on Farms.

FARMERS’ DISCUSSION.

QUESTION OF UNSKILLED MEN.

AMENDMENT TO ACT. “It simply means that we are not going to employ them,” said Mr A. Woolsey (Mauku branch) at the meeting of the Franklin sub-provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union on Friday when the scale of wages for farm workers came forward for discussion. Other members agreed with Mr Woolsey.

Mr H. E. Moore (East Tamaki ) moved that the act governing farm workers’ wages be amended in order to permit the payment of lower wages for inexperienced labour. He stated that difficulty was being experienced in obtaining farm labour under £3 a week. Mr Moore said he knew of one young man, a grocer’s assistant, who was keen to work on a farm, but although inexperienced he would have to be paid £2 2s Gd a week. Farmers would willingly pay £1 5s a week for such labour. “Under the present act we are debarring these young men from getting work and we are breeding a race of loafers,” he added.

Mr F. A. Harcombe (Waiuku) seconded the motion.

Rates Compared. Mr Woolsey said he did not object to the paying of set wages. The amounts fixed for farm work were not sufficient, compared with the rates for other workers. In the case of a farmhand who was given a day off and had to return for the evening milking this should be counted as a holiday; under the act it was not. A worker might be regarded as efficient by one farmer but not so if he was employed by another. Mr H. 0. Mellsop (Auckland provincial president) said he had discussed the question with the Labour Department, the ruling being given that the wages fixed were the minimum, but a farmer could pay more if he desired. He believed there were very few efficient farmhands.

Mr V. G. Pilcher (Mauku) said it would have been better to allow the Arbitration Court to fix wages of farm workers at £4 for a week of six days. Farmers would then know what to do.

Mr W. J. Steen (Maramarua) said he understood the act had been framed after consultation with the Farmers’ Union.

Mr A. E. Robinson (provincial secretary) : You don’t believe all you see in the morning paper? (Laughter).

“A Proper Chopping Block.”

Mr Steen: I think they have_ made us a proper chopping block. Mr A. Gummer (Pokeno) said the wages for farmhands were lower than in any other industry. The guaranteed price was said to he fixed to allow the payment of set, wages hut it was fixed at too low a figure. Mr Mellsop said the Minister of Labour was making statements as to what he would agree to regarding wages, but the worker could turn round and sue the farmer for what he was entitled to under the act. The speaker was definite that a woman employed on a farm was entitled to the same wages as a man. The Minister had refused point blank to regard time off as a day without work, except for the evening milking. According to the statute a female worker was regarded as a male worker unless otherwise stated.