FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17846, 29 July 1921, Page 7

FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

WATERFRONT LABOUR.

EARLY INQUIRY URGED.

MARKETING OF PRODUCE. [BY telegraph—press association.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. At the Dominion conference of the Farmers' Union to-day, Mr. F. Colbeck (Auckland), moved : " That in view of the great importance to the public and industries of the Dominion of efficient control and working of the waterfront industry, it be an earnest recommendation to the Government that they institute an early and exhaustive inquiry 'into the whole matter of cargo handling at the various ports." Mr. Colbeck said that under the present system a great waste resulted. A better system was needed. Mr. C. K. Wilson thought the contract system worthy of consideration. He mentioned that Sydney had a system which worked so well that there had been no strike for four vears. Mr. T. Moss said the scheme of permanent labour which had just been commenced on the Wellington waterfront had so far b»en working satisfactorily. The motion wa« carried, and also a motion to the effect that the Dominion executive confer with the Government oh the question of evolving a scheme for the better control of the waterfront labour. Produce marketing was discussed, and it was decided "That this union advocates a national marketing scheme for wool, meat, and dairy produce, to be controlled by the producers through boards." During a discussion on the establishment of retail shops and depots for the sale of meat in England, it was advocated that members be advised to concentrate their attention against trusts. It was contended by Mr. Lysnar (Gisborne) that the slump in Britain was deliberately engineered. _ Mr. McPherson (Oamaru), in supporting a motion for the establishment of retail shops in England, asked what was the use of having a farmers' shipping company if meat was going Home into the hands of the trusts. A committee was appointed to take steps to carry out the resolution.