DAIRY EMPLOYEES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16426, 9 May 1924, Page 6

DAIRY EMPLOYEES.

HOURS AND WAGES

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. At the Arbitration Court, Mi- Wright, for the dairy companies, said, it was hardly fair to draw a comparison with Canterbury, which did not export to the same extent as Auckland. Regardiri|T youths, they were practically under apprenticeship. He submitted that the hours could not be reduced without, deterioration of the product or increased cost of production, which it wonld not be reasonable to expect companies to bear. The larger portion of the product was exported, and the price depended on the Home markets. Practically all the companies were co-operative-, suppliers receiving payment in exact proportion to the prk'e realised, by the company, less cost of manufacture. Thins the position of suppliers must be considered, as they were not receiving as much. as. in April, 1923. For ten months ended March last, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, London prices, declined on an average over 17s a cwt. Cheese showed a slight improvement, but milk powder showed about a 3i per cent. decrease, while casein was now unpayable. The employers did not seek a reduction in wages. They estimated that the cost of living in the country was 10s weekly less than in the cities. Neither were, increased hours sought. Decision was reserved. .