FRUITGROWING INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 22445, 16 September 1936, Page 8

FRUITGROWING INDUSTRY

HOPELESS WITHOUT STATE AID WAGE INCREASES AND OVERTIME OPPOSED EMPLOYERS’ DETERMINED STAND [Per United Press Association.] HASTINGS, September 16. The opinion that the fruitgrowing industry is in a bad way and that its position is hopeless unless the Government comes to the growers’ assistance was expressed by Mr C. H. Slater, the agent for the employers, at a sitting of the Conciliation Council during the hearing of an industrial dispute concerning storemen and fruit packers. “It is going to be a case of the survival of the fittest on the prices that now appear in view,” said Mr Slater. “ But you have said that the last year was a good year? ” queried the Commissioner. “ For some growers it was,” replied Mr Slater, “ but over an average it was not. One good year in four is not sufficient. There are men who are just lingering on their places and receiving advances from merchants. “ Any additional burden goes back to the producer, and he cannot possibly stand any more burden at present. If wo get assistance from the Government, then it might be a different matter. Because we are opposing an increase in wages and disputing a 40hour week I don’t want you to assume that we are opposed to the Government,” continued Mr Slater. “ We are not opposed to the Government and wish to do all we can to bring about a fulfilment of its wishes, but it is not always possible.” The scale of pay for youths was agreed on as follows: —Sixteen years and under, 18s week; 16] years, 225; 17 years, 265; 17] years, 30s; 18 years, £2; 18] years, £2 10s; 19 years, £3: thereafter adult rates. It was agreed that the proportion of youths should not be more than one to every three adults or fraction of three. “ Well, what about overtime, then? ” asked the Commissioner (Mr M. J. Reardon), after a futile attempt to settle the question of adult wages. Mr Slater: “ We are not going to pay overtime at all. We have agreed to disagree ou the Question of wages and hours and overtime linked up with them.” The Commissioner; “ I don’t see how you are going to get out of paying overtime. The court has no power to make you an exemption.” “ Well, we’ll go to a higher tribunal,” said Mr Slater. Mr Miller (for the union): “ You mean, go to Parliament?” Mr Slater: “Yes, we will go to it. Parliament has no intention of strangling industry, and will be reasonable.” “ I will be very surprised if it will agree to let you employ anybody for unlimited hours,” said the Commissioner. “It is only for about two months of the year that we want to,” said Mr Slater. “ You can average it out over the whole year at 40 hours if you like.” The Commissioner then drew attention to Sunday work, but here again Mr Slater said that the industry hoped to obtain an exemption, because of perishable goods. He mentioned that the Railways Department co-operated with the industry in having Sunday fruit trains. “ Surely casual workers are not entitled to holidays on full pay?” asked Mr Slater, when the question of holidays was under discussion. The Commissioner (Mr M. J. Reardon) : “ Yes, that is the law at the present time.” Mr Reardon proceeded to read extracts from the Factories’ Act, “ Do you mean to say that if I engage a man on Monday and Thursday is a holiday I must pay him for Thursday?” asked Mr Slater. '“ Yes,” replied the Commissioner, “ that is the law as I understand it.” “ But what if he works for someone else on Tuesday and another man again on Wednesday ? —he is only a casual employee, you know,” said Mr Slater. The Commissioner said the payment would be proportioned among tne three employers. He pointed out that there was little doubt when framing the legislation there was in the minds of legislators an attempt many years ago to defeat the law, and so this would be made practically impossible. It had been necessary to make the condition apply to extreme cases.