MEETING OF FARMER'S AND FARM HANDS AT MILTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2558, 25 March 1903, Page 16

MEETING OF FARMER'S AND FARM HANDS AT MILTON.

As the differences that existed between tho fanners and farm labourers in. the Milton district threatened to affect both «ides seiiously owing to tho advent of harvest a meeting was held on Saturday evening for the purpose of making au attempt to come to an amicable settlement. The meeting, which was presided over by Mr J. A. Scott, was one of the largest ever held in Milton, and Mr S. Boreham, secretary of the Waimate Workers' Industrial Union of Workers, was in attendance in ord^r to address those present on union matters. After traversing at length the beneficial effects of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, Mr Boreham stated that it would bo criminal on the part of the workers to attompt a strike when they had the means enacted by the Legislature to remedy any grievances without resorting to such an extreme and disastrous step. He then detailed tho disastrous effects of the great maritime strike on the people of New Zealand, and expressed surprise that the workers of the colony, who had suffered so extensively owing to that strike, should be co apathetic as to neglect to form themselves into unions, which would save the colony the expense of strikes. It was grievous to learn that after the year's hard labour there was a probability of the farmers losing the results of their toil owing to the apathy of the workers, and he hoped some settlement would be arrived at in the interests of the farmers and workers in particular, and of the colony in general. Farmers, and in fact all employers of labour, were averse to unionism, but he could say that unionism had done a great deal for employers of labour in New Zealand. If it had done nothing more, it had placed upon the statutes an act. which, if taken advantage of, would avert such «i calamity as was likely to take place in the Tokomairiro district. Mr Boreliana concluded an eloauent

address by appealing to the employers and workers to form a union, which would avert; strikes and assist in the welfare of the colony. In reply to questions by Mr Lilburne, Mr Boroharn stated that in the event of a union of agricultural and pastoral workers being formed that night it would have jurisdiction throughout the whole of the Otago industrial district, and every union or branch of the union that might be formed would be sub-, ject to the Milton executive. He added that if an agricultural and pastoral workers' union was formed it would be the duty of members to look after the interests of musterers, rouseabouts in shearing sheds, station hands, ploughmen, farm labourers of all description, and harvesters, and that should an award be made it would apply to non-union iste and bind them as well as unionists; therefore it was essential to the interests of non-unionists to beoomo members of the union, so that they might have a voice in conducting the affairs of the union. In answer to a further question by Mr Lilburne as to whether Mr Boreham had any knowledge of the standing of the Otago Rabbit Trappers' Union, the latter said that he declined to answer the question just then, but he would in a few days make an important statement, either at Dunodin or Hyde, on the subject. It was then decided that in the interests of employers, and employees in particular, and in tho interests of the colony generally, an agricultural and pastoral workers' union, be formed in Milton. It was also decided that tho chairman of the meeting be instructed to forward a newspaper report of tho meeting to the Right Hon. the Minister of Labour. Another meeting was subsequently held, Mr Boroliam being voted to the chair, and 84 workers joined the union, and paid their yearly subscription. Mr J. A. Scott was elected president of the union, Mr J. R. Lynch secretary, and Mr Draper treasurer. Two vice-presidents wero elected, and three other mombcrs of the union were appoincd to form a committee. On tho motion of Mr Lynch, it was tie* cided to authorise Mr Boreham to compit the working rules of • the union and to register the union forthwith. A vote of thanks was accorded the Waimate Workers' Industrial Union of Workers for their kindness in allowing Mr Borohar to be present at the meeting.