THE CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1171, 5 July 1911, Page 4

THE CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM.

FARMERS' UNION DISCUSSION.

ffly Tal s! :ri.- D U.-S [) ecial Correspondent.! ~ ~ „, Hawera, July i ,At V ,O ra ?. nth .,' meeting-of the Opunake branch of the Farmers' Union. Mr' Robert Limbic drew attention to a letter winch had appeared in Tim Dominion concerning co-operative work. So convinced, was he of the truth of tho statemeiits contained in the letter that ho submitted tho following resolution :-"Tliat this branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Unon protests against the wasteful expenditure of money, and conseriueutly the degrading effect it has upon the woi-kers by the way in which the public-works of the Dominion are being carried on by the so-called co-operative labour system Ihis branch now respectfully desires the Dominion Executive to ur K o upon tho Minister for Pnbl|n Works tho desirability of again reverting to tho contract system."

Iho motion was seconded by Mr Stevenson, who stated that he was in a portion to speak from practical experience. When ho was employed on tho co-opera-tive works, being desirous of working overtime, ho found it impossible, as his companions refused to participate. iT llr 'i F f ) ! ! ' s . vtll supported the motion. 'He slated that at the present time no man on the co-operative works was permitted to receive more than Bs. per day Everyone was aware of the various fvpes ot manhood there employed. Consequently a higher price than necessary would hiive to be paid to enable the in'capnbles to receive Bs. There was nn encouragement for good men, and in fact tho whole system was a levolling-down process, and created a state oE stagnation. Tho motion was carried.