FARMERS' UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11226, 3 June 1922, Page 11

FARMERS' UNION

EXEMPTION FROM AWARDS URGED BY DEPUTATION IN REGARD TU FARM LABOUR. PREMIER KNOWS A REMEDY. FElfc PRESS ASSOCIATION. INVERCARGILL, June 2. A deputation representing the Funnel's’ Union asked the Prime Minister to-day tor the exemption of agricultural and pastoral employers from the provisions of the Arbitration Court awards, and urged that unless farm labour was excluded from the award it would be impossible to work farms. Mr Massey said he supposed there would always be complaints from dissatLSed parties about the Arbitration Court nilings. He thought there was a remedy, and though he could not tell them what jt was he would be in a position to tell- the House what was intended. The court was going to last, but the legislation must be amended. His own opinion was that the public should he represented on the court. He had been looking into the experience of other countries, and thought that some of their legislation might be copied with advantage. GREATER PRODUCTION WANTED. If they were to have more production they must remove some of the present restrictions. Much could be done to increase production, and it was a public duty to help. The barassing restrictions on wheat growing must be removed if the industry was to prosper. LORRIES IN PLACE OF TRAINS. Replying to a deputation urging the continuation of the Tapanui-Catlina line, to-day, the Prime Minister said the Government could not go in for railway building unless sure that the traffic was available, otherwise it would be better to five settlers good roads. He believed y the way things were going that instead of running trains half empty the Government would close down some services and employ motor-lorries to do the work. The Government was concentrating on Unfinished works now, such as the Otira tunnel. Thu line in question was really an extension, but he thongbt it quite probable that it would be proceeded with. ME MASSEY LEAVES FOR WELLINGTON. The Prime Minister’s Southland tour concluded to-day, when he received a number of deputations, Mr Massey was the guest of the Southland League at luncheon, and left for the north by the express.