FARMERS AND FARM WORKERS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13159, 4 July 1908, Page 10

FARMERS AND FARM WORKERS.

DISCUSSION BY

AUCKLAND A

AND P. ASSOCIATION (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, July 3. The Labour question and the recommendations of the Conciliation Board in tho farm labourers' dispute in Canterbury have been agitating the minds of Aucklard farmers, end to-day the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association held a special meeting to go into the matter. There was a large attendance and the president (Mr John Ma&sey) occupied the chair.

Mr J. Flanagan (Druryj thought the Association should tnko up the attitude of the Farmers' Union and request tho (jovf>romont to abolish the Arbitration 'Act as far as the farming industry was concerned. They had seen how crookedly the Act had worked in other trades and how couM it operate successfully in tho farming industry? The conditions recommt'iided by the Canterbury Board would make farming practically impossible in Auckland. If There wes any justice, on the other sideho would not mind coming to an agreement : but they had only to lrv>.. at tho events of the past few months to eeo ho,v tho Act had operated. No on-& could Kay any of the unions which had gone on strike had been fair or reasonable in their terms. The unions considered that tlvo Act should be strictly enforced against employers, but that tiro worlrers should use it, abuse it, or defy it as they wished. He thought a strong resolution should bo passed protesting against tho Act applying to farmers.

Mr Wallace moved "That this Association views with concern tho attempt now being made by professional agitators to disturb the existing relations between farmers and thoir employees, and considers that any attempt to impose arbitrary, unreasonable, and impracticable. Testrictions on the conduct of the agricultural and pastoral industry would be injurious to tho best interests of the Jx>na fide wage earners and unjust to the settlers who have spent time and money ond labour on the land, and detrimental to the progross and prosperity of tiie country.' , Mr Taylor seconded the motion.' The motion was then put and carried unanimotislv.