DAIRY FACTORY WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 53, 27 March 1909, Page 2

DAIRY FACTORY WAGES.

DISPUTE BEFOKE TliE CUUKT By Telegraph.—Press Associat ion. Palmerston N., Last Night. The Arbitration Court sat to-day in Lhe dairy-workers' dispute. Mr. Kcavdon, for the Union, explained the demands of the workers, emphasising the demand for to unionists, and ho brought a quantity of evidence to prove that present conditions regarding labour and wages of employee* were unsatisfactory. Mr. Pryor, for the employers, asked | that no award should be made, saying the existence of the dairying industry was at stake, and an award might cause the closing down of factories, inul bring ruin to the dairy farmers. He likened the present condition of the dairy industry to that of the ilax industry when an award was- asked for. To base nn award on the present conditions spelt disaster. The wages of the dairy factory hands had been increased without an award. The farmer would have to pay for the increased working cost, and the dairying districts of the Dominion were awaiting the result of the ease before acting.

lu evidence, C. R. Beattie said tile local factories would >ilio\v no prolit for the past three yours* working, due part--1 y to speculative buying and giving lie* litious values for land. A reduction i:i| tile price of butter was certain, and in 1 the price ol cheese probable; and the failure of London and New Zealand linns would seriously allcct the coming winter prospects. The local market would be glutted. Many farmers gave evidence as to the profits, one stating that in IUO7 he cleared for the maintenance of himself and a grown-up family of live employed on the farm £l4O. His Honor asked if the industry was in such a parlous state that the workers could not be paid a fair wage, ill*. IVyor said that what factories could pay now they might not be able io pay in a year hence. Judge Sim suggested a short-dated award, but Mr. Pryor said the industry varied so as to make a fair basis of award impossible. The Court had failed in Canterbury aud Taranaki. .Mr. Pry* or submitted a counter-proposal:—in butter factories, wages to be £2 where one adult other than the manager is employed, with free sleeping accommodation; where two, £2 5s for the lirst assistant and £2 for the second assistant; where three, the first assistant £2 10s, second £2 ss, third £2; hands other than youths £1 15s; all sleeping accommodation free; creamery managers ,£2 with allowances; youths up to 1(), not less than 15s; 10 to 18 years, £1; 18 to 20 years, 30s. The case will be continued to-morrow.