WAGES COSTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 7

WAGES COSTS

HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY. CONCERN EXPRESSED. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 26. Severe criticism of labour costs was made at the annual conference of the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association. Air A. W. Just, of Palmerston North, presided. North Island nurserymen said that they could not pay tho award rate of £4 16s to employees when there was solid competition and under-cutting. Nurserymen were not getting nearly enough for their goods, said Air Just. Tomato plants had l>een sold at 6d a dozen, and he challenged anybody to nav £4 16s with such prices ruling. When nurserymen were able to charge a fair price to the public for their goods they would be able to pay decent wages. In one district where there were eight nurseries, seven had dismissed their employees and were converting their farms into family organisations. The tendency was one which the Government should regard with the gravest alarm iF it wished to preserve the welfare of the workers. Strong exception was taken by members to Government servants growing and selling seedlings. ' Appreciation was expressed of the attitude of tho Government toward afforestation, river control, scenic preservation and the eradication of noxious weeds, and it was hoped that the Government would continue energetically its action in these directions. The following officers were elected: President Air Ju«t; vice-presidents. Mr j J McMillan (Lower Hutt) and Air C. L. Burrows (Corel: secretary and ’treasurer, Air L. A r . Phillips (WellingtoTlie next conference will be held at New Plymouth.