CHEAP LABOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 8, 7 December 1937, Page 10

CHEAP LABOUR.

FACTOR IN COMPETITION. SOUTH AFRICAN CONDITIONSWELLINGTON, Dec. 7. Emphasis on New Zealand’s difficulties in competing with countries where lower wages are paid and longer hours are worked was laid yesterday by Major J. R. Kirk, who returned from a visit .to South Africa. He contrasted the position of the New Zealand farmer with his competitor in South Africa. “New Zealand, where the Labour Government has introduced a 40-hour week and increased wages, is largely dependent upon the English market (open to all countries, with no such restriction of hours) for the sale of its products, and is therefore closely interested in the wages paid in the competing countries,” he said. “Africa sends cheese to the London market and obtains a price comparable with that of New Zealand. Yet the African farmer pays approximately onefifth in price for his land and less than one-tenth in wages. “Nearly all farm labour is native labour, and the native is generally paid 10s a month in cash, plus quarters and mealie rations, while the native workers in cheese factories are paid 2s 6d a day and find themselves. Native labourers in the towns are paid 2s to 4s a day and find themselves, and native waterside workers receive 2s 6d a day. “With such conditions ruling it seems humbug to protest against cheap Japanese labour! What a field lies fallow throughout tlie world for the International Labour Bureau at Geneva to develop by dealing with this question of wages and the raising of the general standard of living with its consequent beneficial effect upon world prosperity and possibly world peace!”