CHANGE IN SYSTEM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 96, 8 July 1946, Page 6

CHANGE IN SYSTEM

SHAREMILKING CONTRACTS ATTITUDE OF FARMERS To consider the position arising from the Minister of announcement following the recommendations made by the Court of Arbitration for increased percentage payments to third and quarter basis sharemilkers within the scope of the Sharemilking Agreements Act, a meeting of the South Auckland branch committee of the New Zaland Sharemilkers’ Employers’ Association was held in Morrinsville. Mr A.'H. Coombe, of Springdale, presided, and delegates were present from sub-branches at Morrinsville, Matamata, Rangitaiki Plans, Hauraki Plans, Taupiri, Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Otorohanga. Mr Coombe said it appeared that most sharemilkers were quite satisfied with arrangements and percentages existing before the alterations. As a result of the changes many employers of sharemilkers under the third and quarter basis, now 39 per cent, and 29 per cent, respectively, would go out of sharemilking and Employ labour under a wages and bonus system. The meeting decided to recommend this action to employers, but where employers desired to continue with the sharemilking system the meeting recommended that the 29 per cent, basis be adopted (whereby the owner would make arrangements for farm maintenance) rather than the adoption of the 39 per cent, basis. The opinion was expressed dhat if a standard half agreement were brought in, it would virtually mean the end of this class of sharemilking also. Question of Negotiations

The following resolution was adopted unanimously: “That in view of the unsatisfactory results obtained in negotiating on quarter and third basis sharemilking contracts we see no good purpose in continuing negotiations on the half basis contract and that further negotiations with the sharemilkers,’ representatives be discontinued on the grounds that any standard half sharemilking agreement introduced would immediately create a position so unprofitable to the owner that he could obtain his present 50 per cent, share by means of other farming methods resulting in loss to the country of the 50 per cent, share now being received by the sharemilker.” It was decided to forward a copy of the resolution to the Prime Minister, and the Ministers of Labour, Agriculture and Rehabilitation, urging immediate reconsideration of the 'position, in view of the imminence of the new season, in the national interests of production and the World food shortage.