AGRICULTURE AND LABOUR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 13948, 3 January 1906, Page 6

AGRICULTURE AND LABOUR.

The decision of the Farmers’ Union not to bo represented at the Labour Parliament to be- held in Christchurch next month will not seriously detract from the importance of the gathering. It is a pity, however, that the Union has .refused to join in the discussion of the. questions which are to be submitted to the delegates. Its Colonial Council and provincial executives and local branches are always professing the . liveliest concern for the welfare of the farm, workers, and it should have taken this opportunity to show that its sympathy isrieally with the men. But instead of doing this, it is finding fault, in a rather carping spirit, it seems to us, with the constitution and programme and name of the Parliament. The executive officer of the Union complained to an interviewer the other day that the conference between the employers and the workers had been arranged by the Department of Labour and not by the Department of Commerce and Industries. He apparently felt that it was in some way derogatory to the dignity of the producers to be summoned to Christchurch by a Department that dealt with wages and shop hours and co-operative workmen. Ho doubted whether any delegates that could he sent would benefit the farmers. “ Our Union,” ho explained, “ docs not legislate from its central body, but is guided in its action by the decisions of its branches through the provincial executives. Therefore the Colonial Executive cannot commit the Union to any variation of the Union’s platform. This can only he done by a reference to the branches and the approval of a majority of the members of the organisation at the annual meetings throughout the colony. Under these circumstances any (lolegates wo might send could only attend as onlookers, as they could not commit the Union to any lino of action which might he at variance with its platform.” Of course this will Lo precisely the position of the delegates representing the Employers’ Associations and the Trades Unions. They will Have no power to commit their constituents to anything. The purpose of the conference is to bring employers and workmen together in a free discussion of various industrial matters and to obtain expressions -of opinion that may, be useful in framing future legislation. The delegates probably will be asked to say whether our labour laws retard or facilitate the development of our industrial interests and whether it is desirable to restrict the operation! or foreign trusts engaged in the distribution of agricultural implements in the colony. These arc questions on which there is sure to bo a wide difference or opinion, and the Farmers’ Union would not be committed by a majority of the delegates voting for the extension of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act or

for the imposition of a high protective tariff. It anight have safely joined with the employers and the workmen in a serious attempt to obtain more light upon those industrial problems in which every section of the community is interested.