BETTER AWARD

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1930, Page 6

BETTER AWARD

ASKED BY DAIRY FACTU RY WUR KICKS ,By Telegraph—Per press Association./ NEW PLYMOUTH, .March 28. Evidence concerning the application by the dairy factory workers of the Dominion lor a new award involving increased wages, shorter hours and a six days’ week, wa« taken in New Plymouth to-day for the Taranaki districts. For the employers, Mr Bishop said the dairy industry was passing through the most critical period iii (l its history. The dairymen’s cheque this year for butter would probably he three or four millions sterling less than last year. It had been suggested that the increased production would counter-bal-ance a reduced price, but that was far from true. It wa.s unfortunate that at this time the workers should ask for shorter hours and more wages. The workers must expect to hear part of the burden that the employers were carrying.

M.r Roberts, for the Union, said that the farmers generally were not sympathetic with the workers. It was not right That the dairy factory workers should he asked to work much longer hours than the workers in the other i industries. He knew of a case where the men had come physical and mental wrecks because of the hard work anti the long hours. ■ Mr Roberts strenuously denied .Mr Bishop's suggestion that this claim was trio .'commencement of a new cycle of increasing Wage's in all industries. The evidence'is not completed.