DAIRY FARM WAGES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3800, 26 August 1936, Page 5

DAIRY FARM WAGES

“HIGHER THAN INDUSTRY CAN STAND AT PRESENT.” “ That this executive considers that the scale of wages and conditions for dairy farm workers as set out in the Act will make the dairy farmer’s position (in spite of the guaranteed price) a much less satisfactory one than obtained under the previous working conditions, with an open market, and in our opinion will have a tendency to lead to the increased use of the farmer’s wife and children, ultimately leading to reduced production.”

This motion was approved by the provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union at Dunedin a few days ago. “ While I welcome any attempt made by the Government to improve the conditions under which dairy farm workers have to live, I am convinced that the scale of wages set is higher than the industry can stand at the present time,” said Mr W. Lee, in presenting the motion. “It sets out an ideal w’hich all of us would like to see reached, but we have to face the facts as they are to-day, not as they may be ten years hence. I know of some farmers who candidly admit that they will have to dispense with good employees because they cannot pay the scale of wages as fixed by tho Act.”

The motion was seconded by Mr E. J. Iversen. “ While many dairy farm workers are just as bright as any other workers in industry, it must be admitted,” he said, “ that through inability to get a brighter type of lad the dairy farmer in the past has been a dumping ground for slow and backward boys. These lads in many cases are good workers under supervision, but they could not make "ood at any other type of occupation. I feel that this class of labour will be dumped on the open market, and will go to swell the present unemployment problem.”

Mr C. R. Sheat took strong exception to a minimum wage of 17s 6d a week (plus found) for lads 17 years of age. Many lads were worth it, but others were not. In the citv lads began at 15s per week, and had to find themselves. He congratulated the Government upon not interfering with dairy farm workers’ hours.