DAIRY INDUSTRY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXII, Issue 61, 9 May 1924, Page 8

DAIRY INDUSTRY

EMPLOYEES' CONDITION. For Press Association. Auckland,. May S. At the Arbitration Court, in the discussion on the claims tor highci wages, Mr 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. Regarding youths, they were practically under apprenticeship. Me submitted tbc hours could not be reduced without a deterioration of the product or au increased cost of product'ou, which it would not be reasonable to expect the companies in bear. The larger portion of the product was expoitod ami the price depended on the Home markets. Practically al] the companies were co-operative suppliers, receiving payment in exact proportion to the price realised by the company, less the cost of manufacture. Thus the position of suppliers must be considered and they were not receiving as much as in April, 19^3. For the to |) months oudocl March last, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year, lamdon prices declined on an a\erage by over 17s per cwt. Cheese showed a slight improvement, milk powder showed about a dV per cent, de(Tcnso. while casein was now unpayable. Employers did not seek a reduction in wages. Tiicv estimated that, living in the country was l()s a week less than in ctics. Neithcd were -increased hours sought. Decision was reserved.