asked the Minister for Agriculture if, with a view to having more persons absorbed into labour on the land, he will consider the advisability of having the operations of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1936, suspended as far as single men are concerned while the present emergency exists.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Labourers' Wages.
I am not satisfied that in existing circumstances the adoption of the Deputy's suggestion would be warranted.
I have a supplementary question which I shall put in three parts: (1) Is the Minister aware that in cases where a father and a couple of sons, all living together, were employed on one farm the enforcement of this Act meant the disemployment of the sons, and the result was that, where £3 or more per week went into that family's home, only 30/-, the father's wages, is now being received? (2) Seeing that the average production per head of persons employed in agriculture, including both owners and hired help, does not exceed £70 per annum, how is it possible for a farmer to pay a minimum of 30/- per week to each adult employed? (3) Would it not be better for unmarried men without dependents to get wages even below 30/- per week, which farmers would be glad to pay, particularly where the father of such men was already employed on the same farm, than to be compelled to remain idle altogether without even a hope of the dole, from which they are excluded by the operation of the recently passed Employment Period Order?
In answer to the first part of the question, it might happen. In answer to the second part, I am not sure if the figures would now apply as the prices of farm produce are higher than they were at the time the particular calculation was made that the Deputy referred to. In answer to the third part, there is a very big question of principle involved.
Would the Minister not make it his business to make inquiries before an order is made fixing a minimum wage which the owner could not earn for himself or his family? The Minister should make sure that it could be complied with before he enforces the order.
Does not the Minister think that 30/- per week is little enough for any man without trying to take 2/- or 3/- off it?
Apparently some of your Deputies think it is too much.