FARMERS DISAGREE ABOUT PAYMENT OF WAGES ABOVE AWARD

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1948, Page 5

FARMERS DISAGREE ABOUT PAYMENT OF WAGES ABOVE AWARD

P.A. INVERCARGILL ,Oct. 28 Strong opposition was met by the chairman, Mr W. Baird, when he moved on behalf of the Athol-Garston branch at the meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive of Federated Farmers: “That the wages for casual farm labour be put on a maximum basis, and that breaches of the award be penalised.” The remit was lost. Those opposing it said that a man in desperate need of labour would pay extra and take the consequences. They considered the scheme would not work. As to awards for harvesting and shearing on a minimum basis, Mr Baird said some farmers were not keeping to those awards. They were paying above the award rates, and to get men other farmers had to fall into line. The Athol branch considered that all awards should be on a maximum rate. For instance the carpenters’ award was on a maximum basis, and recently in Hutt Valley an employer and an employee had been fined for breaches of the award. When farmers were seeking a rise in price for produce, award rates were also quoted. Mr Baird said the position was that the award rates did not apply. Rates well in excess of the award were being paid. If there was a definite limit to what a farmer could pay a man, then a good man would come down to the level of an indifferent man declared Mr T. Double. The farmers would take the best man every time, and would be prepared to pay him above the award. Mr Baird: “That penalises the smallei' farmer. He has to compete with the man who can afford to pay above the award.”

The secretary, Mr G. Anderson, pointed out that there were as many farmers paying above the award as those paving award rates.