HARVEST LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3180, 3 September 1917, Page 8

HARVEST LABOUR

J .XFr. D., Jones (president): said at this peek's meeting of the North Canterbury Fanners'- Union' that a committee had met the representatives .of the Agricultural and Pastoral Labourers' Union. The A. and P. Union asked if the Farmers' .Union would assist in getting the regulations for farm labourers' accommodation .Gazetted, and it. was agreed that the .Farmers' Union would obtain a. copy of the regulations and consider them. It was entirely favourable-to tho provision of decent accommodation for farm hands. The A. and P. Union seemed afraid that a" great crowd of men would be released from camps to do harvest work, with the result that the price. of labour would be .forced down. The A. and P. Union stated that its idea o£ adequate pay was ; ls. 6d. per hour and found for ordinary harvest hands,, and 2s. per hour and, found for stackers and reapers, or JM 10s. per week for reapers. Tho Farmers' Union were inclined to agree to the Is. 6d. per hour and found for harvesters/ Wit thought that Is. !)d. per 'hour and fouud was sufficient for stackers and Teapers. The A. and P. Union wished .to have a registered agreement signed, •I)iit to.this.the Farmers' Union.declined, but agreed if tho A. and P. Union urged its membere to conform to -tho wages suggested that it would also advise tho farmers to accept those rates. However, there could be jio actual binding agreement 011 either side. In the discussion whic.li followed, both Sir. Leadle.v. and Mr. Sheat warned the meeting against having anything to do with this matter. Mr. Sheat thought tho committee had made a mistake in meeting the labour union representatives at 'all, and he considered that tho trade ■union representatives, who did not represent the true workers, were only tryinj -10-ge.t the thin edge of-the wedge in for an award. . - , After discussion it was decided to submit' tho whole matter to the branches for their opinion, to report to the noit meeting. Till then nothing was to be definitely done in tho matter.