RURAL WORKERS’ WAGES COMING DOWN IN N.Z.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 647, 5 July 1921, Page 5

RURAL WORKERS’ WAGES COMING DOWN IN N.Z.

There is evidence that the heavy" fall in the prices of wool and meat is already affecting the labour market in New Zealand. Although the unemployed problem has not yet become acute, the number of men applying When work is offering has considerably increased. This is due chiefly to the reduction in the number of farm and station hands and to there being .fewer men employed on public works* not only by the Government, but by local bodies, the latter being unable to raise Loans at the prescribed rate - of interest. Labour on dairy farms has not been much affected by the present conditions, as the industry has experienced an excellent season, though the slack time of the year has now begun. In the North Island it is the sheepowners who are feeling the pinch, and in the South Island both sheepowners and. agricultural farmers are curtailing employment. The dry autumn that has been experienced throughout the Dominion has hindered cultivation work, otherwise agricultural farmers could h&ve done with a little more labour. Definite action has now been taken in the North Island by sheep fanners to bring about- a reduced scale of wages for farm and station ,handfj in order to meet the very low returns from wool and meat. In .Hawke’s Bay a large meeting of sheep farmers agreed upon . the .following scale:— Crutchers, 4s per 100; shed hands, Is an hour; shepherds, 30s a week;, drovers, 15s a day; station cooks,7 30s to 40s a week; cowboys, 20s to 25s a week; ploughmen 40s a week; station hands, 25s a week; married couples, £BO to £IOO per annum; casual labour, Is an hour; harvesters, Is 3d per hour. At Gisborne the Sheepowners’ Union discussed wages on the following basis:—Shepherds and station hands, 30s; head shepherd, £2; married men, £3; drovers, 15s per day: crutchers, 5s per 100; shed hands and cooks, 30s; station cooks, 30s; cowboys, 20s to 2-ss; married couples, £BO to £IOO per year. It was stated that most employees were prepared to accept a reasonable basis_ Some were now accepting less than the rates mentioned. So far the Labour unions have not been heard on the matter.