FLAX MILLERS’ AWARD

Southland Times, Issue 24243, 28 September 1940, Page 7

FLAX MILLERS’ AWARD

AGREEMENT REACHED IN CONCILIATION

Complete agreement was reached yesterday on the provisions of the first award governing the conditions and wages of workers in the flax milling industry in Southland and Otago. The award will come into operation on October 1. The rates of flax-cutting have been fixed at 10/- a ton at stump or 11/- a ton if carted up to one and a-half chains. All of the rates will be subject" to the 5 per, cent, cost of living increase recently ordered by the Arbitration Court.

The agreement was reached in conciliation proceedings. The Conciliation Commissioner (Mr S. Ritchie) presided. The employers were represented by Messrs R. W. Clouston, L. A. Niederer, A. J. Templeton and M. A. Niederer (secretary of the Southland Flax Millers’ Association). The employees’ assessors were Messrs D. W. Stalker (advocate), W. J. Holland, P. Pf.terson and J. Smith.

The following minimnT’V rates of wages were agreed upon: Feeders, pressers and graders 2/6 an hour, stripper-keepers 2/9, head paddocker 2/6, other paddockers 2/4, other workers not specified 2/4. Youths must not be permanently engaged in classing or feeding the stripper, except at adult wages. Wages of youths will be: 16 to 17 years 40/weekly, 17 to 18 years 50/-, 18 to. 19 years 60/-, 19 to 20 years 70/-. The working week will not exceed 44 hours. Work of every kind after noon on Saturday should be prohibited except where necessary for the saving of property from destruction. If scutchers are not provided with bands they must be paid 2/- a ton extra for fibre, and where scutchers are required to keep the tow-hole clear of tow they shall be paid 2/6 a ton of fibre extra.