FARMERS’ SPOKESMAN QUESTIONED BY JUDGE IN ARBITRATION COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27039, 25 March 1949, Page 6

FARMERS’ SPOKESMAN QUESTIONED BY JUDGE IN ARBITRATION COURT

WELLINGTON, Mar. 24,

The question whether wage rates should reflect changes in the export prices of primary produce was discussed in the Court of Arbitration to-day in the general wages issue. Mr D. L. M. Martin, economic research officer for Federated Farmers, was questioned by Judge Tyndall.

Generally it was only fair and reasonable that if the export prices and general prosperity of the country increased, so should the standard of living of everyone in the country, Mr Martin said. The trouble was that costs went up in good times, but did not come down comparably in bad times. His Honor said that, despite the influence of the change in the exchange rate last year, the export price index had increased by 82 per cent, since 1938. In the same period the minimum wage rates had increased by only 44 per cent, though it might be that the award rates had lagged behind the actual rates "Do you think the farmer is receiving his fair share of the national income? ” his Honor asked. Mr Martin: “Yes, I think he is.” Mr Martin said he thought that most sections of the community were getting a fair share. His Honor: So the status quo is perfection?—l would not say it was perfection. Asked whether the farmer was discontented, Mr Martin said he thought the farmer was comparatively happy compared with other periods, though there were still injustices he would like to remedy. Comparatively, the farmer was receiving a fair share of the national income. Mr Martin added. His Honor: The status quo is satistory from the farmers’ point of view, but the farmers would oppose any further increase in wages—l have not said that a slight increase in wages could not be absorbed by the farming community. Mr Martin said that the wise business man was getting record prices, and with everything geared to full production he did not spend all his resources. If the dairy farmer had to pay out more now than he was getting from the United Kingdom contracts, how was he going to be able to meet the costs- when the prices receded? Mr Martin asked. Asked by the secretary of the Federation of Labour, Mr K. McL. Baxter, why he expected a reduced demand for' New Zealand produce in the United Kingdom, Mr Martin said he anticipated that by 1952 Britain would be able to supply herself a great deal of what she imported to-day. Englishmen were the best salesmen in the world. Mr Martin said he agreed they were also very good customers. For a great many years New Zealand had not, for limited periods, received fair prices for her produce. Judge Tyndall: Don’t you think we might have been well paid in other ways? We mi<*ht not have existed without Great Britain. Mr Martin: Yes, I agree.