TO BE REFORMED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3257, 30 April 1943, Page 3

TO BE REFORMED

SHAREMILKERS’ UNION MORRINSVILLE MEETING UNPROFITABLE COWS MILKED Nearly four years since the Morrinsville Sharemilkers’ Union had been in recess, a meeting of sharemilkers was held in the Municipal Chambers, Morrinsville, recently, and the following resolution was passed: “That this meeting of Morrinsville sharemilkers form a union and endeavours be made to form unions throughout the province.” There was an attendance of about 30, including some ladies and a party from Matamata.

The meeting was convened by Mr M. Ban and Mr J. R. Cowan was elected to the chair.

The following committee, with power to act and get in touch with the Federation of Labour, was formed: Messrs J. R. Cowan, M. Ban, ; M. Hanson, J. Collins, E. H. Follow, A. iG. Cadman, W. H. Parkes.

Tracing the failure of the Sharemilkers’ Union, Mr F. H. Neems, of Matamata, said that about four years ago a big meeting had been held in Morrinsville as part of a countrywide movement that was then taking place for the betterment of sharemilking conditions, but the next meeting had lapsed through want of a quorum, and later the Share milkers’ Union had been taken over by the New Zealand Workers’ Union, which, in company with the Farmers’. Union, had framed the present agreement.

Apathy of Sharemilkers

The Sharemilkers’ Union had lapsed through nothing more than apathy on the part of the sharemilkers. Until the sharemilkers got together and formed themselves into a solid front they would get nowhere. After other speakers had spoken of the need for unity among sharemilkers and the question of compulsory membershop of the Sharemilkers’ Union had been raised, other speakers drew the attention of the meeting to many points which they considered should be taken up' by the union.

Points raised in regard to sharemilking problems included the follow-

ing:— Disagreement was expressed with the • present quarter sharemilking agreement, it being said that the agreement was open to various interpretations, particularly in regard to

the work other than milking required to be done by the sharemilker, and two members said that they had got from the Labour Department two different rulings in regard to haymaking—one member being told that all haymaking done by quarter sharemilkers was chargeable, and the other was told that haymaking was part of a quarter sharemilker’s duties. Another point made by speakers was that some agreements did not comply with the requirements set by the 'Government in the standard agreement.

Further points were that many sharemilkers were required to do maintenance work beyond that provided for in agreements, and objections were raised to the cleaning of drains and cutting of hedges by sharemilkers.

The definition of a cull cow came in for criticism, and speakers said that some farmers forced their milkers to milk cows that were unprofitable. Speaking to this, point, Mr Neems said that a resolution by the Sharemilkers’ Union a few years ago requested that every farmer’s cows should be tested and that any cow which showed a yield less than a certain figure should be compulsorily culled. The cost of herd-testing would be borne by the farmer. At the conclusion of the meeting those present put their names down to become members of the union, and it was moved that the committee which is to meet the Farmers’ Union representatives report back to a general meeting to be held shortly after the conference. A motion was carried that Mr Ban be accorded a vote of thanks for convening the meeting. At a committee meeting held at the conclusion of the meeting the following committee was elected to meet the Farmers’ Union delegates on May 8: Messrs Ban, Collins, Fellows. Mr Collins was elected chairman of the committee, and Mr Ban was appointed secretary.