FARM RETURNS AND 40-HOUR WEEK

Chronicle (Levin), 14 December 1946, Page 5

FARM RETURNS AND 40-HOUR WEEK

DUNEDIN, Dee. 12. Tliat costs of production of tlie farmer sliould be calculated on tlie basis of a 40-hour week was urgcd by speakers at a meeting today of the Otago provineial executive of Feder ated Farmers of New Zealand. Mr. T. M. .Seott submitted a reniit from the Milton branch as follows: — " To bring fanners into line with other sections of the coinnniiuty, Federated Farmers in all future dealings with the Government, when fixing tlie price to be paid tlie farmer for his produce, be asked to calculato costs of production on tlie basis of a 40-hour week. ' ' "This counlry is only fooling itself if it thinks it can get increased pro duction to make up the shortage of goods and have a good standard of living when, after six years of war, it has a 40-hour week," said the presi (lent (YTr. B. Bim). "It would be ali right when we " have caught up on shortages and can manufaeture tlie maxinnim aniount of goods." * Mr. J. Andrew: Tlie people of New Zealand have just indicated that they do not believe that. J\[r. E. Skinner said that every over seas vessel arriving in Auckland to day had to lie in the stream for a fort night. There was no prospect of the cargo being handled sooner under pre sent eonditions. The position was ridiculous. "We cannot run our farms on a 40hour week," said Mr. J. S. llunt, "but we should hammer awav to have our costs based on a 40-hour week." After further discussion the reniit was adopted.