THE WORKERS AND THE ARBITRATION COURT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14108, 29 July 1911, Page 10

THE WORKERS AND THE ARBITRATION COURT.

PLAIN TALKING AT FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, July 28

There was some plain talking at the Farmers' Union Conference to-day when Mr Evans (Canterbury), moved:— "That the conference take into consideration the operations of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act with reference to its bearing on the industries of the Dominion, as it is of opinion that it is seriously retarding their development, and then tho Government be asked to appoint a Royal Commission of practical men to enquiro into tho operations of the Act." He referred to the disturbance of the minds of workers by tho flaunting of the tribunal specially set up to de.al with labour disputes. If tho workers dici not havo decisions made by the Court in their favour, they threw over the Court and took tho law into their own hands. Farmers in North Canterbury were disturbed, not so much by actual workers on the farms as by their leaders. These men had not and would not work in the country. One of them had said to him:—"Do you think I am such a fool as to go on to a farm? Not much; I can do better in tho town." Mr Sheat (Canterbury), remarked that "You in tho North mako us a dumping ground. We fight your I battle tor you down in my country." j Tho whole farming industry, ho added, ! was subject to paralysis by theso agitators. The Court was treated with ' contumely by the men it was designed to assist unless" decisions ivere in favour of these men. Ho had been a working man himself and was still a sympathiser, but there could be no doubt about it that there was a threat hanging over the farming industry in Canterbury that if demands were not granted a" big strike would take place in December or January. The farmers had, ho felt, the utmost respect for Mr Justico Sim and his colleagues on tho Bench. Mr Hockley pointed out tliat the labour legislation was largely experimental. He suggested that the working of tho Australian Wages Board should bo looked into. Other speakers referred to the demands of the workers as being beyond reason. Mr A. L. D. Eraser protested against a Royal Commission which was tho "sheet anchor of the sufferer." He suggested that such Commissions wero a useless and expensive luxury. It was impossible to convince tho working man that his demands for increased wages wore always followed by increased cost of living. The Arbitration Act was good, in its intention, but not' in its administration. Ho suggested that a sub-committee be appointed by the conference to deal with the: matter, referring its cogitations to tho Minister of Labour. Mr Horrell suggested that all the words in tho motion down to "then the Government" bo struck out. Mr Novins (Te Nui), said it was a most serious thing that nine men oould compel employers to como under the Act and then if the Act did not suit | them they could throw over tbe Act. i He had no faith in Royal Commissions. If tho report of the proposed committee went to the Minister of Labour he feared it would not bo of much value. A voice: He is not the Hon. R. McKenzio, you know. (Laughter.) Mr Nevins said the report should go to the House itself direct. Mr Makgill suggested that if the proposed committee wero to bo made of any use, members of tho labour unions should bo invited to discuss in a friendly and impartial manner a ques- ; tion affecting all classes of the community. Mr A. L. D. Fraser moved as an amendment "That tho conference appoint a Select Committee to take" into consideration the operations of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act with reference to its bearing on the industries of the Dominion; that such committee shall have power to call outside evidence if necessary, and shall submit the results of their deliberations to tho Minister of Labour for his favourable consideration." Mr Nevin seconded. Mr Vavasour (Marlborough) suggested that the matter was the most vital question of the day, and the expense would [have to be borne by the country. No matter what the cost, it would be cheap if a satisfactory solution were arrived at. Tho matter Was one that should be, and must be, removed from the region of party politics. Major Lusk (Auckland) concurred, and so did Mr Sheat (Canterbury), the latter holding that the people were no. getting value for their money through the Act. There was a continual effort on the part of labour to "squeeze another shilling from the employers." He suggested elimination from the motion of all tho words between "Dominion" and "Government." Mr A. L. J>. Fraser regretted that Mr Massey and his friends had gone, as their opinion tonight be asked. Mr Sheat: They are afraid to give it. Mr Fraser said it was futile to expect a Royal Commission to be set up this session. Time was the essence of the contract. If a Royal Commission were obtained it would be fully three years i before its report wero presented. Mr Talbot (Teinuka) proposed that the executive be asked to'watch legislation during the current session. Mr W. J. Birch (Marton) thought that although the Royal Commission might be useless, the discussion niight, do considerable good. Beyond expressing their opinion very little* good could be done.

Mr Evans, who had moved the motion, said tho Arbitration Act was the unfairest of Acts.

Mr Fraser pointed out that there was proposed legislation before the House to amend the Act, and the Advisory Committee could watch that legislation. Mr Fraser's amendment was carried, with the addition "That the matter be left to tho Advisory Committee —Messrs J. C. Cooper, F. F. Hockley, D. McGregor, junr., and H. J. Richards."