INCREASE WANTED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 3

INCREASE WANTED

GUARANTEED PRICE DAIRY SUPPLIERS’ VIEWS RECENT WAGE INCREASES That in view of the fact that other sections of the community were receiving increases in wages, the dairying community was entitled to an increase in the guaranteed price was the opinion expressed by speakers at the annual meeting of sup-plier-shareholders of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., yesterday. Farmers were justly entitled to an increase, said Mr G. Hall, in moving a resolution that suppliers ask for an increase in the guaranted price for this season. In seconding the motion, Mr P. H. Saxton said that Mr Nash had appealed to the industry to accept the same price on the plea of keeping costs down. Just after he had made this statement, however, there came a 10 per cent increase in railway charges. In asking for an increase they were not being unpatriotic in any way.

“We must ask and demand an increase corresponding to that given to other workers of the country,” said Mr Saxton. “If increases are to be made, then this industry has the right to have a share in them.” Attitude Not Understood “I cannot understand why the farmers have been so quiet for the last three years, when they have not received any increase in the guaranteed price, while some other sections of the community have been receiving increases all the way along during the last three years,” commented one supplier. “I am not working hard to increase my production for this Government, but I am working for Mr Winston Churchill,” added another supplier. It was stressed by several speakers that no one wished to ask the British Government, in the present circumstances, for an increase in the price it was paying, but while the New Zealand Government was granting increases in other sections of the community it was only just that farmers should participate in an increase to cover the still increasing rise in costs. The resolution was carried by an overwhelming majority. Remits Confirmed The remits carried at Thursday’s conference of committeemen were all confirmed without discussion. “I would like to place on record the services of co-operation the company has received from its employees, particularly those in factories,” said Mr P. H. Saxton, in moving a resolution to this effect. Mr B. Symes endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks in seconding the resolution, which was carried unanimously. In thanking the meeting on behalf of the staff, Mr C. J. Parlane, the general manager of the company, said that the dairy industry had reason to be proud of its employees. For instance, there was never any talk of strikes in the industry. Their own company had an excellent staff.