MEETING OF THRESHING MACHINE OWNERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2612, 25 January 1894, Page 2

MEETING OF THRESHING MACHINE OWNERS.

A meeting of threshing machine owners was held at the Wallingford Hotel, Ttmuka, on Tuesday afternoon. There were present Messrs Preddy, Brogden, T. Washington, J. F. Douglas, W. Sherratt, 0. Bateman, M. Scannell, G. Johnson, Jas. Hughes, W. Walker, and J. Walker. Apologies were received from Messrs J. Talbot, W. Hopkinson, and J. Goldsmith. Mr Brogden was voted to the chair. The chairman, in opening the business, said he was there in the dual capacity of farmer and mill owner, but he was prepared on the occasion to drop the former position and meet them as a mill owner. They were there to discuss their position with regard to the farmer and m?U hands and generally to arrive at a uniform basis of operations for the coming season. A general discussion took place, in the course of which the drop in the price of threshing was referred to and deplored, as it had had a tendency to cause a cutting of prices and a proportionable loss to both. owner and hands. However it was pointed out that considering the low prices which had prevailed for all classes of grain for the last few years, and the exceptionally bad crops of the last two years, that it would be inexpedient to ask farmers to pay an increased rate. The position was considered very fulljp. and it was ultimately moved by Mr Preddy —"That the price for threshing 'be 2£d per bushel for oats, 2|d per bushel for wheat and barley, and if stacks are in bad order or on the downs, where they are difficult of access the price to be one farthing per bushel extra." Seconded by Mr Bateman and curried. Messrs Johnstone and Hughes protested, against the prices as it was an infringement of their principle. They bad always charged 3d for threshing, D.n<i had never been parties to the cutting down system adopted by some millowners. After further discussion, however, they conceded the point in consideration that possibly next year, if there were increased prosperity, the prices would be reinstated. One important point that cropped up in the course of the discussion was the position of mill owner in plaoes where the, grain was badly stacked or in dirty or swampy land, where the foregoing pri.oes could not possibly pay. It was decided that in such, cases the threshing shou"id be done by the hour at the rate, oi 255. The consideration of the wages to be paid occupied some time. Sympathy was expressed with the men, who undoubtedly for the last two seasons had not been able to earn a great deal, but it was stated that it was not owing altogether to the price paid, but to the weather, the'falling in of the grain yield, and chiefly to the carelessness of faraars in stacking their crop. The stncks were scattered about, not thatched, and with no proper, dry foundation. It was further pointed out that it would be advisable for farmers to properly stack their crops, as one thresher present instanced 'a case where he had threshed 70 stacks of wheat where there were only two bags of damaged grain. These stacks had been carefully butted and thatched. The system of threshing wet stacks was also stated to be a source of loss of time, as the tops and bottoms had to be threshed together-* entailing a loss of from an hour to an hour and a-half at each set and the necessitty for an alteration of riddles. Another practice condemned was that of threshing from stook* Farmers who had a hundred or two acrea of grain ofteu got a mill to thresh from the stook to save a pound or tn?rty shillings, and the men, who have to pay their board and risk dewy mornings and wet days, make very little for the first month. If the practice were done away with, the farmer could got first-class men to secure his harvest, instead of, as now, having to lose the services of experienced hauds, who wait for a job upon a machine, and have to avail himself of the average travelling laborer. The practice of threshing from stook and of wet stacks was condumued, and those present hoped that for tho future they would be able to refuse to do tho work. With regard to. tho wages, it was agreed that for the last, two yours the ownors had been working at a loss, and had as much right to grumble as the men. However, it was arranged to pay at the same rate as last year, and, in accordance therewith, it w»iß propoßid hy Mr Douglas, seconded by Mr Johnstone —" That the price paid to men for threshing be 8s per 1000 for oa'os and 10s per 1000 fur wheat and barley." As an amendment Mr Batemeu moved, and Mr W. Walker seconded price bo 0z per 1000 all round." Tho motion was carried. It was also confidently expocted that next year, with. incroasod prosperity and better prices for grain, tho wages could bo increased, as the farmers could afford to pay more. 'The question, of " tucker" was next discussed, and it was stated by several present that it was tho wish of the me a to board themselves on tho co-operative principle. It was moved by Mr Washington, seconded by Mr Douglas, and carried "That the iniU-owueM presout supply galjey, <jqq*>

ing utensils, and coals, and charge the men 15a per week for use of the same ; the owner and driver, as the case may be, to pay proportionate share ; the men to make good any loss or damage, etc; or, as an alternative, the owner find tucker and cook as heretofore at the rate of 13s per man." It was proposed by Mr Douglas, and seconded by Mr W. That no Union men be employed on machines." This proposal was negatived, and an amendment, moved by Mr Preddy and seconded by Mr Scannell, was carried—u That it be left to the owners' option to employ Union men or otherwise." It was moved by Mr W. Walker —" That Messrs Scannell, Bateman, and J. Walker be appointed a committee to draft rules on basis agreed by meeting, with power to have agreements embodying the same printed and copies supplied to mill owners." Seconded by Mr Douglas, and carried. Another matter that engaged attention was the insurance of the mill hands against accidents, but it was decided to refer the question to the sub-committee to obtain fuller information as to the charges and the liability of men to contribute toward it. Several minor details were attended to, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.