THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1731, 18 September 1917, Page 3

THE HEMP INDUSTRY.

THE INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK. to ‘There is :i feeling of unrest amoug llaxmillers at present in connection with the industrial outlook. Tin 1 man tiro demanding a furl her increase in wastes, despite the fact llial increases have been made in excess of those fixed hy the Arbitration award. As a mailer of fact, there lias been an excess of the award minimum paid by millers ever since the slump just after ! lie outbreak of war. At present the minimum wage paid by the miller is Ills per day of eight hours (the award minimum rale is !)s dd per day) . The employees are mow agitating to have the minimum 'wage raised to lbs per day. Klaxon!lers are now receiving from lOs to 12s per ton, as against the award minimum of 5s !)d per lon. It is not denied that there has been an increase in the price of hemp, owing to the abnormal demand, and the consider that they arc entitled to a further share in the increase. The award provides a (danse giving power to either parly to review the altered conditions and effect' an equitable adjustment, and this course should bo adopted. We may say this method is favoured by the more reasonable class of employees. A meeting of district llaxmillers is being held at Palmerston to-day to review the situation. “Farmer,” writing in yesterday’s issue of our Palmerston evening contemporary, says:— “I notice various reports in your paper re the llaxworkers' strike and demands for higher rates of wages (from 13s to 15s per day), also that at a mass meeting held in Palmerston they decided-to continue the strike at jUiranui and AVeka mills. At that same meeting they struck a levy of 2s (id in the pound on (he men who remained in work at the other mills to provide strike 1 pay for the men who are out on strike. Now, sir, is this not openly limiting the laws of the land in a high-handed manner? These men work under an Arbitration Court award, and have their redress that way. But, sir, all this is by the way. No doubt the Labour Department has already taken note of what is going on and will act accordingly. But is it not up to us farmers to see that (he rates of wages are not risen on us ? The Employers’ Association and members of local bodies should at once got into communication with the president of the Elaxiuillers-’ Association and place their views before him. It is bad enough now to get labour for (he farms and the more essential industries, and if the millers give way ami increase' the wages, it will make it much more harder for-the dairy fanner lo get men. This is a question that concerns every employer of labour in this district, and if they do not lake a hand and help the millers, when the busy season comes round they will not he able to procure help only ai extortionate rales. Also tradesmen in town must be affected, because every labourer will turn to (he mills for employment. Quire nl) per cent, of (lie work is light work, such as washing’, paddocking and ronseabonfs, and is easily performed by youths of 1(5, for which they now receive 13s per day (and arc asking 15s). The heavier work, such as cutting and scutching, is done at piece-work rates, and I understand hig money is made at this work because when I want draining or fencing done I have oft limes had quoted to me that so-aml-so could be earned culling, and we will not work in drains for less, and rightly so. But now the time has arrived when the farmers and others employing labour should bring pressure to bear upon the millers to call a halt in what has been a heavy rise in wages during the last eighteen months. The wages at the mills reflect back on to ns, because many of our men have left the farm work and gone to the mills. Trusting that something will be done to help the millers in resisting these exorbitant demands*”