WATERSIDE DISPUTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 160, 1 April 1939, Page 12

WATERSIDE DISPUTES

Farmers Want A Voice At

Conferences

COMBATING INCREASED COSTS By Teleg-.'iph—Press Association. GISBORNE. Alarch 31. A request to the Government that the farming industry be represented at conferences concerning waterside disputes was authorized at the annual meeting of rhe Poverty Bay and East Coast Sheep-owners’ Union, when it was pointed out I hat the farming community had to iace Hie increased cost caused by the waterside workers’ demands, and therefore should have a voice in what they should be paid. Air. L. 11. Alaclean said he considered that reform was overdue. The shipping companies did not fight the proposals for wage increases sufficiently, he contended, for the companies knew that they could pass them on. using the increased cost as a lever in exacting more profits for themselves. The president. Air. C. 11. Williams: Ami when they do have a row they look to the farmers to go down and shift the stuff. Air. J. C. Graham said that the present Government had to be impressed with the fact that before its members got into power they did all they could to make the horse jib. It was difficult now to make the horse stop jibbing.

Air. Williams asked if the industry had any legal means for recovering losses.

The secretary said that they could not sue the unions, but they could sue individual me mbe rs.

Air. Williams suggested that even if they sued individual members and only got a small proportion back, it would draw more attention to the position. “Wiiy should we not do it?” Air. Williams asked. “They take money out of our pockets, and why should we not try to get something back?”