FARM LABOURERS' DISPUTE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 45, 21 August 1908, Page 6

FARM LABOURERS' DISPUTE.

ARBITRATION COURT JUDGMENT. PRACTICALLY NO AWARD. [BY TBLKGBArH. — PEKSS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The Arbitration Court's award in the farm labourers' dispute has been issued. It extends over four columns of an ordinary newspaper. The court's decision is in the nature of a judgment, and formed the award. After setting forth the demands of the union, which cover a full column of clo** print, the judgment says : — "The court is asked to bring under the operation of an award all employers engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits in the industrial district of Canterbury. If such an award were made, the court could not reasonably refuse to make a simiFar award in, other industrial districts, and before such extensive interference; is justified, it must be clear that substantial grieva-nces exist, which can be redressed effectually by tha court, and that the benefits to be obtained by its interference will more "than compensate for any mischief that may result from such interference. Tho union failed to provethe existence of any substantial grievances or abuses that would justify thft interference of the court with the whole fanning industry of Canterbury, and the court found it impossible to fix any defiiiite hours for daily work for general farm hands without materially altering the system under which farming is -carried on at the present time." The conclusion of the court on tho whole matter of fixing hours and wages was that it would not be practicable to make the award general to farm hands without seriously altering farming conditions. The court was relieved of the necessity of making an attempt in that direction by the case not being made out. As to shepherds, musterers, and pack--ers, the court made the Otago-South-land award applicable to Canterbury. Mr. M'Cullough did not concur in the court's judgment, which, however, includes some recommendations as to harvest payments, holidays, and mid-day rests. Practically no award is given.