“WEIGHTED AGAINST FARMERS”

Evening Star, Issue 19713, 14 November 1927, Page 6

“WEIGHTED AGAINST FARMERS”

EVIDENCE OH ARBITRATION PROPOSALS PREMIER URGED TO SEE BILL THROUGH JTjek Ukited Pjkess Association.y PAHIATUA, November M. The directors of the Pahiatua Farmers’ , Association have forwarded a telegram to tho Prime Minister;— “ Trade union secretaries, the Employers’ Federation, and their employees do not speak for the farmers. •We challenge, the statement made by Mr Bishop to the effect that the farmers are an ignorant rabble, who cannot speak for themselves. Wo are looking to you for definite leadership, and respectfully request yon to push forward tho Arbitration Amendment Bill through the House this session. Tho farmers’ present condition is ‘ rotten,' ” it is reported that local suppliers to tho Tlopelands Dairy Company despatched a telegram to the Premier urging Cabinet to proceed with tho Arbitration Amendment Bill. At Pahiatua Farmers’ Saloyards Association's directors’ meeting the chairman, Mr Dan O’Brien, said fanners should bo on the look-out. for they would be snowed under by those whoso intciests were directed to keeping, the primary producer tied down to his farm. He said it was a fact that the evidence was being given before tho committee which was to report to Parlament on tho Bill was being heavily weighted against the fanning community by trade union secretaries, the Employers’ Federation, secretaries, and by others who, he alleged, had axes to grind. Strong exception was taken by the meeting to tho fact that Mr Bishop (secretary of the Wellington Employers’ Association, had been permitted to give evidence no less than three times. “Tf this sort of thing is being permitted.” said Mr O’Brien, “It is high time ivo afrmers made our weight felt. If we do not. there is no doubt but that the Bill will be so badly mutilated that it will be useless.”