THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14383, 28 November 1908, Page 13

THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD

' NEWS AND NOTES, Br m Hon, J. T. Paul, M.L.O. Items of information «jut brief comments on questions coming- under \\m heading are always welcome. Books, pamphlets, etc., tent to the editor of this columu will also b« noticed, MEETINGS FOB THE WEEK, The following unions will meet during tha neek at the Trades Hall:— To-night (Saturday).—Eugincdrivers, Millers.' Monday, •- Wharf Laoonrers, Butchers, Painters, Tailors, Bricklayers, Tuesday.—Tinsmiths. W«dne'E<lay.—Printers' Machinists, Labourers, Thursday.—Trados and Labour Council. Friday.—Carpenters. FARM. LABOUR IN NEW ZEALAND. Two Australian Labour weeklies make reference to the conditions of our farm labourers. Victorian Labour Call has a signed article reviewing conditions and contacting the respective lot of the Viotoriaji and Now Zealand farm labourer. The picture is much to our credit, but the colouring is too rosy. This is how Mr,l-1. Viv-ash figures it out: —" In 1894 the condition* of this class in New W luiid were much about the same as.they are here at the present time; the general rate of pay was 15s a week and keep, though a great many were paid as low as 10s and 12s, especially milkers. In the harvest held it was '20s a week, day men getting 4 S gn d ss. Soon after this the A. and P. Union came into existence, with the result that the wages of the workers immediatodly begnn to go up, till in 1906, wo find that the wages, paid to farm labour is as follows:— General farm labour, including millers, 22s 6d to 25a per week and keep; ploughmen, 30s and keep; day men, 6s 6d to Bs.' In tho harvest field the rate varies according ' to the district, " In Auckland and district, from 255, to 30s a week and keep is paid; in TaranaJci, up to 30s; Canterbury, 35s to 48s; and Otago, up to 60s. Lately tho A. and P. Union applied for an award under tho Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and although it has only been partly successful, yet something has been gained, and there-' is no doubt that it is'only a matter of time when all farm workers in that Dominion will be paid a minimum wage of 27s 6d a week of 48 houre." t' Those who best, know tho conditions of our farm labourers will see that the Call writer has overstated the case. He concludes that "it will bo seen that in the little Dominion of New 'Zealand", with resources far inferior to those of this State, with acliinito in many districts distinctly unfavourable 'to agricultural pursuua, rate of wage is paid to'farm workers, in some cases 100 per cent, higher than is paid in Victoria; there are no workers in that colony getting 12s 6d and 15s per week, as is the case hero." The second reference is in Sydney Worker. The editorial is strongly condemnatory of .tho' Arbitration Court in refusing to make an award in the Canterbury dispute. Tho pojnts are reviewed, and the Worker declares that "No community can tolerate such a position, and New Zealand certainly ; will not."