THE BASIC WAGE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 111, 27 May 1937, Page 8

THE BASIC WAGE

-Press Aisoci&tion.)

Too Low for Farmers

(JB» Telegraph-

DANNEVIRKE, This Day. Whiie admitting that the income allowed farmers in adjustments under the Mortgagors ' and Lessees' Eehabititation Act was, in many instances, only equal to the basic wage, delegates attending the inter-provincial conference of the Farmers' Union at Dannevirke yesterday were unable to endorse a remit from the Ohakune branch seeking to have the income of farmer applicants fixed at. not less than £5 per week. The remit qu the question was as follows: — "That for the purpose of assessing the basic value of a farm prOperty which is in proccss of adjustlnent under the Mortgagors'" and Lessees' Rehabilitation Act,. the applicant's gross personal, income should not be assessed at less than £5 per week." In support of the remit, Mr D. G. Blacklock (Ohakune) claimed that the farmer was entitled .to more than the basic wage and that he should at least receive the equal to that paid publid works employees. The present allowance of £3 16s a week was entirely inadequate and grossly unjust. Mr J. H. Bremner (Pahiatua) felt that any move to alter the existing arrangement would result in complications. He questioned whether in the end any good purpose would be served. . Mr W. J. Thomas (Carterton) urged caution in dealing with such a question as there was a danger of the union 's position being prejudiced. There had been talk of substituting the guaranteed price for dairy farmers with a fixed weekly wage, and in view of that, was the union prepared to lay down that £5 per week was a fair wage!" Mr Blacklock suggested , that the point was being lost sight of and that was that adjustments were being made on the basis of the ailowance made to the farmer, and the lower that ailowance the higher the basic value of the farm. That was unjust because the value, of the farm should not be boosted at the -expense of the farmer and that was what was taking place. An attempt was made to have tke remit withdrawn, but tke mover insisted on the issue being voted on and, following further discussion *ha remit was lost by 48 votes to 3r„.