FARM WORKERS’ WAGE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 413, 21 April 1937, Page 6

FARM WORKERS’ WAGE.

EFFECT OF GUARANTEED PRICE INCREASE. Statement By Hon. F. Waite. Press Association —Copyright. Dunedin, April 20. A statement that an increase in the guaranteed price for dairy produce, with a consequent increate in the wages of farm workers, would take place in about threi?i months’ time, was made by Hon. F. Waite, M.L.C., at a meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the Farmers’ Union today. The new rate will operate from the beginning of the next export season, Mr Waite said, and, at a consequence, a farm workEir’s wage would orobiably be advanced to £2 5g a Week, with keep, from the present figure of £2 2s 6d. RISING COSTS. \ Farmers Selling Their Cows. Press Association—Copyright. Dunedin, March 20. I "Speaking with a fair knowledge )f Otago conditions,” said Mr Arthur ' Craig, vice-chairman of the Farm A,cjcmnting Association of New Zealand, it i*is annual meeting to-night, ‘‘l would say <that one of the direct results of rising coists is that farmers throughout this province are endeavouring wherever possible to do without men. “I affi told by implement agents that there has been an unprecedented demand for traetprs and for other {labour-saving implements,” he continued. “Farmers make no secret of the fact that they intend to do without teams and thus effqct a saving in labour. Many declare that they will not be dominated by labour unionism, hoVi'ever mild the particular brand. “On all sidee.' (there is definite evidence of a limitation of cropping and many dairy farm <rs are selling off their cows rather than employ labour at existing rates. Rising costs are the order of the day. It now costs more to replace wheels on a. dniy than it cost for th? original dray.”