FARM LABOURERS

Grey River Argus, 3 July 1914, Page 5

FARM LABOURERS

CASE BEFORE THE CONCILIATION COURT. A DEADLOCK ARRIVED AT. (Per United Press Association.) BLENHEIM J-uly 2. The demands of the Marlborough farm and station .employees union were formally placed before the Conciliation Council at Blenheim this morning 'Mr.. Laracy was present as agent. for the workers. -On behalf 'of the .employers, Mr. Vavasoni made the following statement: — "We are not prepared to discuss the demands of the union at all. The Arbitration Court has already dealt with the question of farm labour ">n Canterbury, and declined to make ah award. - •,'■•; "It also in other awards exempted farmers employees, from the operiation of awards. The Court therefore movingestablished a precedent. We refuse to discuss the matter at all, and it must be referred direct to the court. -'■ ' Mr. Laracy said thaj statement rfc a precedent in Canterbury, was unwarranted. If the employers were going to take this stand it was no use in going any further. He asked were not the laborers entitled to the benefit of the Concilia l tion and Arbitration Act as well as other workers. The Act was amended to allow oxemntion to fa-rm laborers. He protested against the attitude of the employers, and Commissioner Hallv said <v »nt he would inform the Arbitration Court of the position.