FRUIT INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23118, 18 February 1937, Page 10

FRUIT INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT PROMISES ASSISTANCE INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENT MADE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Feb. 17. An industrial agreement covering workers in the fruit industry was completed after a series of conferences between the Minister of Labour (Mr H. T. Armstrong) and representatives of the New Zealand Workers’ Union. The wages agreed upon are an advance on those paid previously, and the Government promised to help the growers if prices for the produce fall below the level which will give them a reasonable return. Mr Armstrong stated to-day that the export guarantee, which was contingent on the prices realised overseas, would be continued, and the subsidy would be paid on locally-consumed fruit in the event of the price falling below an economic level. An amount of £40,000 had been set aside to meet possible contingencies On the internal prices. “ I want to make it clear,” Mr Armstrong said, “ that this is not a straight-out subsidy. If the growers receive a good price, they will not be helped. We are simply ensuring that they are reasonably remunerated for their efforts. We believe that everyone who gives service is entitled to fair return. The agreement is not everything the New Zealand Workers’ Union desires, but it puts the workers of the industry in a better position than they have been in before. The agreement is to operate only until September 30, and it can then be revised.” The agreement also deals with weekly rates of wages for youths, and the payment of casual seasonal workers, the rates for whom will be: Adult male workers, Is 8d an hour; female workers, Is 4d an hour; youths and girls up to 18 years, Is an hour; and those between 18 and 21 years, Is 2d an hour. Provision is also made for the observance of the statutory holidays, etc.