AGRICULTURAL WORKERS’ WAGE RATES

Northern Advocate, 15 December 1937, Page 13

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS’ WAGE RATES

-MINISTER EXPLAINS

[Per Press Association. Copyright.] WELLINGTON, This Day.

The rates of wages payable to agricultural workers were explained by the Minister of Labour, the lion. H. T. Armstrong, in a statement issued last evening. He said that from numerous inquiries made by himself and officers cf the Labour Department, f would appear that. there was considerable confusion in the minds of many people in regard to the wages of these workers.

The Minister said,that by Order-in-Council, dated November 10, 1937, the following new scale of wages was fixed for agricultural workers employed on dairy farms:—

New Scale of Wages

Under the of 17 years, 18/6 a week; 17 years, but under 18, £l/4/; 18 years, but under 19, £l/9/-; 19 years, but under 20, £l/14/6; 20 years, but under 21, £l/19/6; 21 years and upwards, £2/5/-.

Where board and lodgings were not provided, an additional 17/6 a week should be added in each case. This order operated from November 1, 1937, and is to continue in force until July 31, 1938, and thereafter until a further Order-in-Couneil is made fixing different rates of pay. ‘•From the wording of the Order-in-Ccuncil, it would appear that the rates applied only to workers on dairy farms,” added Mr Armstrong. Scope Extended.

i ''However, by the provisions of the I Agricultural Workers’ Extension Orders, 1937. Nos. 2 and 3. the new rates cf pay for workers on dairy farms are made applicable also to agricultural and pastoral workers employed on farms and stations used for the commercial production of wool, meat, and/or grain (including seed), but they do not apply to those workers, such as shearers and threshing-mill workers, whose conditions of employment are laid down in awards or industrial agreements under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1925, and its amendments.

“These rates are as agreed upon between representatives of the Farmers’ Union and myself.”