DAIRY FACTORY AWARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 935, 31 March 1930, Page 16

DAIRY FACTORY AWARD

TARANAKI SEEKS CHANGES Press Association NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. I Evidence concerning the application by the dairy factory workers of the Dominion for a new award involving increased wages, shorter hours and a six-day week, was taken in the Arbitration Court at New Plymouth today for the Taranaki district. For the employers, Mr. T. A. Bishop said the dairy industry was passing through the most critical period in its history. The dairymen’s cheque this year for butter would probably be three or four millions sterling less than last year. It had been suggested that increased production would counterbalance the reduced prices, but that was far from true. It was unfortunate that at this time workers should ask for shorter hours and more wages. Workers must expect to bear part of the burden which employers were carrying. Mr. Roberts, for the union, said that farmers generally were not sympathetic with workers. It was not right that dairy factory workers should be asked to work much longer hours than workers in other industries. He knew of a case where men had become physical and mental wrecks because of the hard work and long hours. Mr. Roberts strenuously denied Mr. ] Bishop's suggestion that this claim was j the commencement of a new cycle of j increasing wages in all directions. The hearing was adjourned.