FARM WORKERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19136, 3 October 1936, Page 4

FARM WORKERS

CO-OPERATION URGED ADDRESS BY ORGANISER. MURIWAI MEETING An enthusiastic gathering of farm workers was addressed by Mr. Grayndler, travelling organiser for the New Zealand Workers’ Union, in the Muriwai Hall last evening. Mr. Grayndler outlined the development of the Labour movement from its inception with the Tadpole Martyrs, who suffered deportation and untold cruelties. The New Zealand Workers’ Union represented a very large body of workers and it was intended to help the farm workers. These had had the opportunity, but had not availed themselves of this as had the- Maori. shearers.

The speaker outlined to the audience tlie power of industrial organisation today. Other branches had organised, proving the value and necessity of this. He instanced the 20,000 public works employees and the thousands on the various land development schemes, the £OCO to. 10,'OCO shearers, and many others who were' now enjoying protection and security. The organiser appealed to those present to join the New Zealand Workers’ Union and,to pull, their weight with those already in the organisation. RECOGNITION OF WORKERS In the past, he said, musterers and drovers had been at the mercy of employers, but having joined the union were now covered by an award. The same applied to the shearers and shedhands, who received attention formerly denied them. Recognition of these workers had been compelled so that they enjoyed better conditions generally. Similarly, dairy farm workers were now safeguarded by Government legislation. In the south there had been a splendid response. If recognition, was desired it was necessary to become an organised body. The workers must indicate that they were desirous of establishing a union to form a department of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, which would convince the employers that they were well represented. By doing so they would assist themselves. The movement, he considered, bid fair to become one of the most powerful in the Southern Hemisphere. Mr. Grayndler said employers had strongly opposed the introduction oi the 40-hour week, but this had proved far from the impossible as its opponents iiad declared it to be. Unless! hours of labour were decreased, half the workers would be in positions, while the other half would merely exist in poverty. In reply to a question by Mr. W. Dailey, asking why the Labour Party had not tried to organise the farm workers, Mr. Grayndler stated 1 that it was not necessary to form a farm workers’ union. They should join the New Zealand Workers’ Union. The political party sprang from the Shearers’ Union, now the New' Zealand Workers’ Union, which was a body comprised oi and representing all manner of unions, which the speaker detailed. The Labour Party he added, was fostering the formation of such unions. SUBSCRIPTION FEE

A question as to the subscription fee elicited the reply that the annual subscription. was ±!1, but a most important point was- that this subscription was a passport to all industries and unions covered by the New Zealand Workers’ Union.

A further question brought forth the emphatic reply that, admission to the organisation was no guarantee of a position, but rather a guarantee of safety while in a position.

To a query regarding the restoration of cuts in salaries and wages, the organiser said that they were not to be misled. The election promises that all wages would be restored was intended to apply to organised labour unions. The Arbitration Court declared a minimum wage, applicable to organised .workers only in regard to awards and agreements extant in- 1931. Farm labourers had not organised, ahd to seek the protection of the Arbitration Court they must be of the New Zealand Workers’ Union. To all other workers who had' joined had come increased returns, but they had not organised and could not expect to get theirs. The Labour movement intended to use New Zealand by democratic means, not to abuse it—each was to have his share as a right. Poverty Bay, it was pointed out, was the home of Labour organisation and this was the place to start the movement to organise the farm labourers. Mr. Uadey, supported by Mr. T. Cuppies and Mr. Em Brown, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Grayndler for his address, which had proved helpful and instructive. It was decided to hold a meeting at an early date to discuss the whole idea and endeavour to finalise matters.