08 THE MINORITY REPORT 



the representatives of the two classes face 

 to face to discuss labour conditions. 



(5) In the farming industry no cast-iron regula- 



tion of hours of employment is possible, but 

 much consideration has already been given 

 to the subject, and we are convinced that it 

 would not be difficult for a District Wages 

 Board to devise a workable system. In 

 fixing a minimum wage the Board would 

 determine the number of hours per week for 

 which the minimum wage would be paid, 

 and work in excess of that number would be 

 paid for as overtime. 



It is urged by some that the long hours 

 which the agricultural labourer has to work, 

 combined with the necessity, in the case of 

 carters and stockmen, of working part of 

 Sundays, have in the past acted as a deterrent 

 to men continuing in agricultural employ- 

 ment, and will prevent many ex-Service men 

 returning to agriculture. The requirements 

 of horses and stock necessitate early morn- 

 ing and evening work as weU as Sunday 

 labour. This cannot be avoided, but it is 

 urged that it would be more satisfactory for 

 all classes of agricultural workmen if they 

 were in a position to know how many hours' 

 work they were expected to give for an 

 agreed wage. 



(6) If the prices of farm produce are maintained 



at their present level, or continue materially 

 higher than in the years preceding the war, 



