FARM WORKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23370, 9 December 1937, Page 16

FARM WORKERS

AGREEMENTS WITH EMPLOYERS LEGAL SANCTION FURNISHED s. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. An extension of the Agricultural Workers Act to apply to farm work, other than dairying is provided for in amending legislation which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Governor-General's Message tonight. The Bill is concerned only with the validity of Orders-in-Council extending the provisions of the principal Act, and it is stated that where organisations of workers and employers are in agreement extension orders may be issued to prescribe the conditions of employment in addition to those prescribed by the Act. The effect of the amendment is to make the terms and conditions of all farm work legal and binding so long as they have been approved by representatives of the employers and workers concerned. When the Bill was introduced the Minister of Labour (Mr H. T. Armstrong) said that arrangements had already been entered , into with orchardists and also with grain and sheep farmers. The purpose of the Bill was to give legal effect to agreements, even if they differed slightly from the conditions laid down in the principal Act for workers on dairy farms. All farmers desired the legislation in order that they might not be brought under the Arbitration Court. An Opposition member: There are no sharemilkers in this? The Minister: No. That is another measure which will come down early next year. The Bill was read a first time.