Farm Workers’ Wages

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30977, 5 February 1966, Page 14

Farm Workers’ Wages

Sir,—At New Zealand’s first National Industrial Accident Congress held recently in Wellington, Mr E. W. MeAllum, president of Federated Farmers, said that his organisatton was opposed to compulsion with regard to the fitting of safety frames to tractors “because this would only antagonise farmers.” As the “N.Z. Fanner” said to its January issue, other industrial employers forced by law-to safeguard their workers and asks, “are they antagonised?” I predict that before the end of 1967, Parliament will have passed legislation: (a) to compel farmers to fit safety frames on tractors; (b) to give farmers the choice of installing bale-lifting equipment or hiring agricultural contractors with this equipment: (c) to make overtime compulsory over and above the eight-hour day; (d) to place all workers’ compensation in the hands of the State Insurance. In the interests of this country, these measures are essential to divert labour back to the land.—Yours, etc., NEW ZEALANDER. February 3,1966. Sir,—As a farm worker’s wife, I disagree with “70 Years,” that farm workers are as well off as those working in the city. We left the city thinking we might be able to save more in the country; how wrong we were! My husband works an average of 12 hours a day. also Saturday mornings (although we were told beforehand the hours would be 8 till 5), for £l4 a week. In what other employment would one have to work Chritmas Day and Boxing Day without being paid overtime? Although our tele-

phone is supplied, all our calls are toll so little is saved here. Far from saving, we are now about £5 worse off (allowing for rent), so need I say we are moving back to the city. —Yours, etc., HAD ENOUGH. February 2, 1966.