AWARD WAGES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 142, 16 May 1940, Page 8

AWARD WAGES

INCREASE OPPOSED. VIEWS OF FARMERS. Opposition to the proposal to increase award wages, because of the imposition of too great a burden on the Government and people in time of war, was expressed at a meeting of the Manawatu provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, yesterday', when the following remit was brought forward from the Paraparaumu branch: “That the Government bo asked not to increase award wages- unless prices for farm produce he increased accordingly, or, as an alternative, that it be asked to increase the hours of work.” ' t, The remit was subsequently' amended, as follows, and carried: “That no increase in wages in general industry' should be made without an increase in prices for farmers’ produce, or, if wages are to be increased, then it should be done through an increase of the working week to 44 hours, with an appropriate increase in wages at the existing' hourly rates, and that steps be taken to impress the Government with the necessity of asking other sections of the community to put forward an effort and make sacrifices equal to those expected of the farmer in promoting the war effort.”

This will be forwarded to the interprovincial conference of the union. Air B. F. Lynch moved the remit, which lie said had been prompted by the move by the Federation of Labour for a simultaneous rise m all award wages to meet the increased cost of living. If wages were increased the cost of living would automatically increase again, be added. Farmers, on tlic other hand, were limited by the fixed prices for farm produce. He did not see how farmers would be able to carry' on and bear this added burden unless the Government gave increased prices for produce. He suggested that work should be done on Saturday mornings to gain an increase in wages. Air N. Campbell said that a long view should be taken. Nothing should be increased except the hours of work for labour.

Air E. 6. Bond said that the remit was one of the soundest subjects that should bo supported. The Government should recognise that too many people to-day were having too easy a time in spite of the fact that the country was at war. It should be pressed home to the Government that more assistance was needed if more foodstuffs were to be produced. He did not think that the sacrifices which were being asked for were anything like equitable. The president (Air H. J. AlcLeavey) contended that the job to-day was to get behind the Government and help to bring the war to the desired conclusion. The farmer was in a good position to give a strong example to the organisations clamouring for higher awards. “Our troubles fade into insignificance when compared with those of tlie people in the countries invaded by that murderous scavenger, Hitler.”