Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1928. FLAXMILLING AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3825, 31 July 1928, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1928. FLAXMILLING AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

IT appears an absurdity that the Arbitration Court should fix wages in the (laxmilling industry lor a definite period based upon an unstable market. The futility of sueh an award is apparent at present. The bottom is out of the market and what hemp is being quitted is in favour of buyers. In all other primary and secondary industries the producer can pass on added costs of production, but similar conditions do not apply in the hemp industry. A living wage, of course, is essential but it is beyond dispute that the millers cannot in the present circumstances meet the award rates. They have made an offer to the Union to provide work on a ten per cent, reduction on the award rates. Surely this is a fair compromise and what is "more it would provide work at an increase in wages above what obtains for unskilled labour and beyond what is paid on relief works. If a majority of the employees were permitted to act independently they would willingly accept the millers offer and as a consequence there would be less hardships inflicted upon their defendants. In view of the unemployment throughout the district at present, it seems ridiculous that the present deadlock should continue.