WAGES INCREASED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 14 August 1942, Page 3

WAGES INCREASED

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS ALL CLASSES BENEFIT RISE OF 12/6 A WEEK ( V A.) WELLINGTON, this day. An increase of 12s fid a week forcertain agricultural workers of 21 veavs and over is prescribed in tne. agricultural workers extension order, 1942, which was gazetted last night. The order relates to wages and other conditions of employment of agricultural and pastoral workers employed on farms and stations used for the commercial production of wool, meat, or grain, including seed, other than those so employed who are covered by the provisions ot an award or inclustrial agreement. The weekly rates of wages prescribed are the same as the rates for agricultural workers on dairy farms. „ . .. , Besides the increase for adult workers the rates prescribed represent increases for workers under 21 years, ranging from 3s fid a week for those under 17s to 11s a week for those aged 20 rears. Where board and lodging are not provided by the employer, the wages are increased fey £1 a week, instead of 17s fid. Rates for casual workers represent an increase of 3d an hour. The increases apply as from August 1 Increases for orchard workers are also provided in an amendment gazetted last night to the agricultural workers’ extension order, 1940. The principal weekly increases for agricultural workers in orchards are as follows: Permanent employees.—Managers, 5s a week; other adult male workers, 4s; youths. Is to ss. Casuals. —Adult males, 2d an hour; adult females, id an hour. The provisions of this amendment shall be deemed to have been in force since June 1. Another agricultural workers’ wage fixation order, also gazetted last night, fixes the minimum wages of dairy farm workers as follows: —Under the age of 17 years, 225; 17 and under 18 years, 295; 18 but under 19 years, 365; 19 but under 20 years, 425; 20 but under 21 years, 50s 6d; 21 and upwards, 57s 6d. For workers who are not provided with Board and lodging, the above-mentioned wages are increased by 2s fid a week in addition to tho amount prescribed in the Act. The order became effective on August 1.