WANT £5/5/0 A WEEK

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32706, 29 April 1946, Page 7

WANT £5/5/0 A WEEK

REQUEST FROM FARMERS HAVE INCOME MADE UP SHAREMILKERS AFFECTED - 4* That any farmer whose nett income does not reach £2170 (£5/5/0 per week) should have it made up to that figure, was a remit from the Netherton branch of the Farmers’ Union discussed' at the quarterly conference of the Northern Thames sub-provincial executive of the union held in Thames recently. Mr W. E. Cheale, of Netherton, said that recent legislation ruled that all adult male workers were to receive not less than £5/5/0' per week. Quite a number of farmers, due to the drought, would not receive an average of £5/570' per week this year. Mr H. M. Smeaton, of Waihi, said if farmers were granted' such an increase there would be no money for pensions, etc. Mr R. L. Wilson, of Matatoki, said that he thought the remit was of little use. There was nobody to keep a check on the farmer’s hours of work. Several other speakers strongely supported the remit, pointing out that the farmer was just as entitled to £5/5/0 a week as any other worker. Mr Cheale said the sharemilker was just as badly hit. Many sharemilkers employing labour would have to pay their men £5/5/0 and might not get it themselves. The remit was carried. ..