HIGHER WAGES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2004, 11 March 1914, Page 10

HIGHER WAGES.

FOR THRESHING MILL HANDS.

Application, is being made for tho registration, of-the Jinrlborougli Agricultural'and' Pastoral Employees' Union (other than shearers and shed hands), and Mr. J, Townsend, secretary and organiser of tho union, was in Wellington yesterday in connection with the matter. Speaking to a reporter, ho said tho union would includo ploughmen, shepherds, drovers, musterers, and thrcsliing mill hands, and 'three or four different awards would bb necessary to meot tho different classes of workers. This was tho first time* a union embracing so many different classes of country workers had been formed in the Marlbprough district.' Mr. Townsend stated that tho proposed jndustrialagreoment applying to thresh-, ing. mill hands in Canterbury was to como "before tho Conciliation Council, and if an award were made application would probably bo made for a Dominion award to apply to threshing 'mill hands, on the same basis. principal clauses in the pronosed agreement relate to stook threshing and rates of pay,' and are as under: — '■

"Threshing from tho stepk shall bo allowed only on condition that all men engaged at the mill shall.be paid not less, itlian Gd. per hour for all time lost on account of threshing from tho stobk." flurlattor clause is as follows:—". . . .

Tho employer shall havo the option as to whether ho shall work his mill under tho hour or contract system.. If the hour systeni is adopted, tho wages for tho. feeder shall he VJaid at the rate of Is. 9d. (as against Is.' 3d.) per hour for all time worked and found. The wages of the cook" shall be £3 a week and found. Tho .wages of all other men shall be Is. 6d. per hour and found (as against Is.). If the contract system is adopted, tho rate shall be los. per thousand bushels threshed. In the ovent of this rate failing to .yield wages equal to the rates laid down for the liour system those rates must apply." ■ . .