SHARE-MILKERS’ AGREEMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 124, 24 April 1940, Page 10

SHARE-MILKERS’ AGREEMENT

MEETING OF EMPLOYERS. Farm owners employing sharemilkers met members of a special sub-committee of the Manawalu executive of the Farmers’ Union at a meeting bold in Levin on Monday. Mr C. Webb, president of the Levin branch of the Farmers’ Union, presided. Mr Webb outlined the purpose of the meeting, staling that the executive had received representations from the Sharemilkers’ Union to have the sharemilkers’ agreement altered, but in order to lie fair to both parties It- bad been considered advisable to call the owners together to bear their side of the case. Mr Webb explained that the existing agreement came under the Sharemilkers Agreement Act, 1937, in which was set out. a schedule showing the standard terms and conditions in rases where the farmerowner provides the herd. Section 4 of 1 1 io agreement specially provided that the terms and conditions may at any time lie a’... red bv the Governor-General if lie is satisfied that; the proposed alterations have been agreed to by the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and the New Zealand Workers’ Union, or any other organisations representing the interests of the employers and sharemilkers respectively, lie staied that, the agreement was amended by Ordr-in-Council last year. 'The sharemilkers considered that the agreement should he amende still further. °As a guide to the siib-eonunittee, a resolution was passed that, the existing agreement should stand. oT ensure that, the farmer-owners were properly represented in any negotiations in Wellington, a further resolution was carried that one farmerowner employing a sharemilker from each province he appointed to the committee. The question of counter-proposals by the owners was discussed, but as the consensus of opinion was that: tho owners should themselves deal with any alteration to the sharemilkers’ agreement, it was decided to set up a special sub-committee to receive suggestions from owners and take anv steps thought, necessary. The whole tenor of the meeting was one of goodwill and co-operation with tho sharemilkers themselves. The following seven owners were appointed as a local advisory committee Messrs .1 Kilsbv, R. Craig. L. Carter. L. Craw. C Saint, W. S. - Long, and .J. 11. Liggms.