FARMERS AND 40-HOUR WEEK

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1947, Page 2

FARMERS AND 40-HOUR WEEK

Support to the New Zealand Dairy Council's proposals that dairy farmers remuneration should be on a 40-hour week basis in line with that of other sections of the community, was expressed by the branch. The farmers’ present position was completely unfair and many were wqrking from 70 to 80 hours weekly without additional compensation, said Mr A. W. Masters, in sponsoring a motion to that eifect. The contention that many farmers were living on the past and mortgaging their future, was expressed by Mr C. B. Michie in support. Shortages of material, high taxation and shortage of labour at a reasonable cost was driving the industry to the wall, and he could foresee the time

when, under existing conditions, farmers as such would be wiped out. “'The position is not being exaggerated when we make these statements," Mr Michie added. Conditions which encouraged demands for higher returns for less effort so graphically illustrated in the Warn ganella case recently, showed only a madness as a people. "If we continue to tolerate such a position without attempting more favourable adjustment we will deserve all we get,” Mr Michie said.