“ALARMING RISE”

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21197, 21 August 1940, Page 8

“ALARMING RISE”

PRODUCTION COSTS FARM LABOUR REWARD What was described as an alarming rise in farm production costs was discussed at a meeting of directors of the Morrinsville Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, yesterday. It was agreed that farmers were entitled to have the same principle applied to them as that applied by the Arbitration Court to award workers in granting them a 5 per cent rise. The following resolution was forwarded to the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash: “Having relation to the cost of living bonus given by the Arbitration Court, it was resolved that, without having regard to any other of the alarming rises in farm production costs, the directors observe with interest the recognition by the Arbitration Court of the rise in the cost cf living, which affects all sections of the community including farmers, and the granting of a 5 per cent increase in award wages, and ask that the principle be extended to cover the labour reward of the dairy farmer and his employees, as set out in the guaranteed price costing.” CHELTENHAM VIEWPOINT (By Telegrapn.—Press Association) FEILDING, Wednesday The guaranteed price to dairy farmers should be increased, said Mr C. G. C. Dermer, chairman of the Cheltenham Dairy Company, at the annual meeting last night. “ The farmer has had to bear increased costs,” he said, “ and the recent increase of 5 per cent in wages will filter down to the farmers. While there is no desire among dairymen to increase the cost of produce to the Old Country in the hour of trial, it is essential that the guaranteed payment be increased to put farmers on an equal standard of living with other sections of the community.