DAIRY FACTORY WORKERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 March 1930, Page 11

DAIRY FACTORY WORKERS

—————■— NEW AWARD APPLICATION [per press association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, March 28. Evidence concerning the application by the dairy factory workers of the Dominion for a new award involving increased wages, shorter hours, and a six days’ week, was taken in New Plymouth to-day for the Taranaki districts. . For the employers, Mr. Bishop said that the dairy industry was passing through the most critical period in its history. The dairymen s cheque this year for butter would probably be three or four millions stei ling less than last year. It had been suggested that the increased production would counter-balance a reduced price, but that was far from true. It was unfortunate that at this time the woikeis should ask for shorter hours and more wages. The workers must expect to bear part of the burden that the employers were carrying. Mr. Roberts, for the Union, said that the farmers generally were not sympathetic with the workers. It was not right that the dairy factory workers should be asked to work much longer hours than the workers in the other industries. He knew of a case where the men had become physical and mental wrecks because of the hard and the long hours. Mr. Roberts strenuously denied Mr. Bishop’s suggestion that this claim was the commencement of a new cycle of increasing wages in all industries. The evidence is not completed.