AN AGRICULTURAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2759, 7 February 1910, Page 5

AN AGRICULTURAL STRIKE.

THRESHING HANDS GO OUT

[Per Press Association.] ASHBURTON, Feb. 5

Tile “Guardian” states that for some time past the general hands employed on threshing mills through Ashburton County have been dissatisfied with their nay, which is computed on a quantity basis. Things are verv unsatisfactory from their point of view r this year, as, owing to the lightness of the grain and the quantity of straw in the shief, the work of aggregating the bushels is, a task nearly double that of a year such as last one. The men hold that this should be recognised, and that they should be paid at so much per hour, rather than at so much per bushel, as at present. The broken weather experienced during'the past fev r weeks brought the matter to a head, and as a specific result of the specially unrennm_ erative day’s work on Thursday, the hands on the mill working in the Wakamii district yesterday made representations to the owner. The latter immediately saw the farmer whose grain was being dealt with, and asked if lie lvas agreeable to being charged a time instead of a quantity basis. On the farmer declining to take a step w-liich ■would, have such an important hearing on the interests of both the country" and the Dominion grain grow r ers, the men at once stopped work, and the mill was left idle. It is understood the mill hands throughout the country are in regard to the broad principle of tTfe question at issue, and that they _ consider theyv should be j>aid Is 3d per hour and find themselves. Developments are anticipated.