FARM WAGES AND HOURS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 4669, 9 July 1936, Page 3

FARM WAGES AND HOURS.

WHAT ABE THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTIONS.

Wellington, July 8,

A request that the Government make an immediate statement of its intentions in reference to hours and conditions of farm labour was contained in a resolution carried at a meeting of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day. Mr H. E. Blyde (Taranaki) stated that as the milking season was now approaching and farmers desired to make their arrangements for the new season with regard to labour requirements, it was felt that the Government should be urged to publish details of the agreement which it had made with the representatives of the union. It was also agreed that the executive co-operate more fully with the Dominion executive of the Employers’ Association in combating the recent legislation reducing the working week to 40 hours and resulting inevitably in increased costs to all classes of the community. A further remit carried stated “that while in sympathy with the desire of the Government to improve the conditions and wages of farm workers, those wages must be baped on the ability of the industries concerned to 1 pay them and we draw the attention of the Government to the effect of the rates of pay on public works and unemployment relief works which tend to fix the minimum wage at which farm labour can be obtained, but in the fixing of these rates no account has been taken of this fact.’’ This remit is to go to the Dominion Conference. It was agreed that it be a recommendation to the Dominion Wool Committee to protest against the headlines at • taching to the publication of wool sales since they create a false impression of the amount received by growers. _____