HELP NEEDED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19122, 17 September 1936, Page 15

HELP NEEDED

DOMINION ORCHARDISIS NEW INDUSTRIAL BURDEN CONDITIONS DISPUTED WAGE RATES AND HOURS (Per Press Association.) HASTINGS, this day. The opinion that- the iruit,growing industry as in. a had way and that the position is hopeless unless the Government comes to the assistance- ot the growers was expressed by Mr. C. ItSlater, agent for the employers at a sitting of the Conciliation Council during the nearing of an industrial dispute concerning storemen and iruit-paekers. “It is going to be a ease of tho survival ol tho fittest on the prices- that now appear in view,” said Mr. Slater. “But you have said that last year was a good year?” queried the commissioner, Air. Al. J. Reardon.

“For some- growers it was,” replied Air. Slater, “but over the average it was not. One good year in lour is not sufficient. There are men who arc justlingering on their places and receiving advances from the merchants.

“Any additional burden goes hack to the producer, lie cannot possibly stand any more of the burden at present. If we get assistance from tho Government, then it might be a- different matter.

“Because we are. opposing an increase in wages and disputing the 40-hour week, ,1 don’t want you to assume that we are opposed to the Government. Wo aro .not opposed to the Government, and wish to do all we can to bring about a fulfilment of its wishes! but- such is not always possible.” PAY FOB YOUTHS Tho weekly scale of pay for youths was agreed on as follows : 16 years and under, 18s; 16£ years, 225; 17 years, 265; 17£ years, 30s; 18 years, £2; 18j years, £2 10s; 19 years-, £3; higher ages, adult rates. It was agreed that tho proportion of youths would not be more than one to every three adults or fraction of three.

“Well, what about overtime, then?” asked the commissioner, after a futile attempt to settle the question of adultwages.

Air. Slater: We are not going to pay overtime at all. We have agreed to disagree on the question of wages and hours, and overtime is linked up with them. Tho commissioner: J. don’t see how you aro going to get out of paying overtime. Tho court has no power to make an exemption, Mr. Slater: Well, we will go to the higher tribunal. All*. Miller (for the union) : You mean to go to Parliament? Air. Slater: Yes. We will go to it. They have no intention of strangling industry and will bo reasonable.

Tho commissioner: I will be very surprised if it will agree to let you employ anybody for unlimited hours.

Air. Slater: It is only for about two months of the year that we want to. rou can average it out over the whole year at 40 hours if you like. The commissioner then drew attention to Sunday work, but here again Air. Slater said tho to obtain exemption because of tho perishable nature of the goods. lie mentioned that tho Railways Department had cooperated with the- industry in having Sunday fruit trains.