MASSEY IN SOUTH.

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1922, Page 7

MASSEY IN SOUTH.

WILL ALTER ARBITRATION ACT. PLAYING TO THE EMPLOYING CLASSES. INVERCARGILL, June 3. Yesterday a deputation representing the Southland Farmers’ Union aske-i the Premier for the exemption of the ay ricultural ; nd pastoral employee.-; from the provisions of the Arbitration Courr awards. The Farmers alleg-d that unless all farm labour was excluded from th.- awards it would l.y impossible to work their farms. Mr Massey s: id he supposed there would always be complaints from di<- ? satisfied parties about the Arbitration' Court’s rulings He thought there was a remedy, and though he could < not tell them what it was. he would be in a position Io tell the House what , was intended. The Court was going 1 to last, but till* legisl: tion must be amended. Hir own opinion was that I the public should be represented on the | Court. He had been looking into the j experience- of other countries, ami I he thought that some of their legisla- I tion might be copied with advantag-a If they were to have more produc- ) tion, he said they must remove some j of the present restrictions. Much could be done to increase production, and it was a public duty to help. The harassing restrictions on wheat grow must be removed if that industry was to prosper.

RAILWAY EXTENSION. Replying to n deputation urging a continuation of the Tajianui-Catlin’s lino to-day the Prime Minister said the Government could not go in for , railway building unless it was sure that [ trailic. was available; otherwise it I would be better to give the settlers I good roads. He believed, by the way I things were going, that instead of run- | ning trains half empty the Government would close down some of the. services and employ motor lorries to do eentrating on unfinished works now, the work. The Government was con- i such as Otira Tunnel. The lint l in question was really an extension, but he thought it quite probable it would bo proceeded with. The Minister’s Southland tour co:ieluded yesterday, when he received a number of deputations. Mr Massey was the guest of the Southland League at. luncheon ami left for the north by the express.