DAIRY WORKERS' DISPUTE,

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13921, 27 March 1909, Page 5

DAIRY WORKERS' DISPUTE,

SOME INTERESTING EVIDENCE.

Per Press Association.

PALMERSTON N., March 26. Tho Arbitration Court sal to-day :n: n the dairy-workers' dispute. Mr. Reardon, for the Union, explained the demands of the workers, emphasising the demand for preference to unionists, and he brought a quantity of evidence to prove that present conditions regarding labour and wages of employees were unsatisfactory. Mr.* Pryor, for the employers, asked that no award should bo made, saying the existence of the dairying industry was at stake, and an award might cause the closing down of factories, and bring ruin to the dairy farmers. Ho likened the present condition of the dairy industry to that of the flax industry when an award was asked for. To base an award on tho present conditions spelt disaster. The wages of tlie dairy factory hands .had been increased without an award. The farmer would havo to pay for the increased working cost. and the dairying districts of the Dominion were awaiting the result of the case before acting. In evidence, C. R. Beattie said the local factories would show no profit for the past three gears' working, due partly to speculative buying and giving fictitious values for land. A reduction in the price of butter was certain, and in the price of cheese probable ; and tho failure of London and New Zealand firms would seriously affect tho coming winter prospects. The local market wauld be glutted.

Many farmers gave evidence as to the profits, one stating that in 1907 ho cleared for the maintenance of himself and a grown-up family of five employed on the farm £146.

His Honour asked if the industry was in such a parlous state that the workers could not bo paid a fair wage. Mr. Pryor said that what factories could pay now they might not be able to pay in a yVar hence. Judge Sim suggested a short-dated award, but Mr. Pryor said the industry varied so as to make a fair basis of award impossible. The Court had failed in Canterbury and Taranaki. Mr. Pryor submitted a counter-proposal : — In butter factories, wages to bo £2 where one adult other than the manager is employed, with free sleeping accommodation ; where two, £2 5s for the first assistant and / £2 for the second assistant; whore three, the first assistant £2 10s, second £2 ss, third £2; hands other tha"n youths £1 15s; all sleeping accommodation free ; creamery managers £2 with allowances; youths up to 16, not less than 15s; 16 to 38 years. £11181 1 18 to 20 -years, 30s. Tho case will be continued to-morrow.