LABOUR COSTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1938, Page 22

LABOUR COSTS

NURSERYMEN'S CRITICISM

MEN BEING DISMISSED

(By Telegraph— I'resst Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH. January 26^

Severe criticism oi labour' costs was made at the annual conference ot the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association. Mr. A W Just. Palmerstou North, presided >

| North Island nurserymen said that they could not pay the award rate of £4 16s to employees when there was solid competition and under-cutting Nurserymen-were not getting nearly enough for their goods, said Mr Just. Tomato plants had been sold at (5d a dozen, and he challenged anybody ip pay £4 16s with such prices ruling When nurserymen were able to charge a fair price to the' public lor their goods they would be able to pay decent wages. In one district,where there were eight nurseries, -seven had dismissed their employees and were converting then farms into .family organisations. The tendency was one-which the Government should regard with the gravest alarm if it wished to preserve .the welfare'l of the workers.

Strong exception was taken by members to Government .servants growing and selling seedlings. . .

Appreciation was expressed ot .the attitude of the Government towards afforestation, river control, scenic preservation, and the eradication of noxious weeds, and it was hoped that the Government would continue energetically its action in these directions.

' The following officers were elected: President,1 .Mr. A. W Just (Palmerston North): vice-presideirfs, Mr 3, 3. McMillan (Lower Hutt) and Mr. C, L. Burrows (Gore); secretary and treasurer. Mr. L. V. Phillips (Wellington)

The aext conference' will be held at 'New Plymouth;