NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 8

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS

I have Tead reports af the nnual meetings of 1 large number of The Farmers' branches throughout the Union. colony during the past month, and I am glad to s e". ".hat the interest- in the union and its aims is still well maintained. The stereotyped question ir till occasionally heard from carping critics, "What has the union don© for farmers?" The union baa done good for farmerc in various ways, and, moreover. I *ny that the mer fac of the union being in existence is an excellent safeguard against the danger of mischievous

legislation in regard to agricultural interests. It cannot be said, however, that members of our union did their duty loyally at the last election, seeing how few country memben were elected. Of the 80 members of the House of Representatives, there are not more than 20 who may fairly be said to represent country interests. The 17,000 members of trade unions are better off in that respect, and their members are more keenly alive to the waints of their constituents and more clamorous for labour concessions. Only two of the Ministry are personally interested in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. This bring*, me to a question which has been discussed at many branch meetings lately — namely, the proposed compulsory employment of unionists in preference to non-unionists. The New Zealand Employers' Federation has issued a oir,cular to all branches of our union setting forth the ten reasons against the proposal to legislate in thie direction. It is therein stated that the total membership of registered trade unions in the colony is about 17,000, and about 3000 of thcee are railway ervants, who do not come into Jhe question of private employment. It appears, then, that about 14,000 men wish to dictate tc the rest of the workers in the colony, who are between 50,000 and 60,000 in number. I suppose the object of this attempt is .0 compel the outside workers to either come into existing labour jnions 01 form other unions. The employers' circular points out that .he principle could, and should, cut both ways, and thai if the masters are restricted in their right to employ, it is only reasonable that the workers' right to work should be similarly restricted. This matter also affeots farmers, for if he trades unions are successful in obtaining preference of employment, it will not be long before labour unions will be formed in the country, and farmers will not have a free hand in choosing their labourers. As the circular points out, if a manufacturer finds the produotion of his goods more costly by reason of .the demands of labour, he can raise the price, and the increased cost falls upon the consumer. Not co the farmer. The prices of his produce Impend upon outside markets, and he cannot pass the increased cost of production coi to the consumer at will. The trade unions aro also going a. bit too far in another direction. A eonferemoe of delegates from trades anil labour councils is shortly to be held, and it is reported that it is intruded to agitate for the introduction ot the Parliamentary franchise in connection with local government. That meaus that any man or woman who hat bpen .hre-e months in a .-.ounty or borough will have a vote in the election of county councils and borough councils, and also in voting cci loan proposals. This would give the floating population th- powei k> assist in burdening the permanent ratepayers with a debt, ".nd when the money was expended they could move on amd do the same elsewhere. It also means that nobody, no matter how much he paid in rates, would have more han one vote, the tamo as the man who pays £10 0. year rent for a jottage, and may be here to-day and gone to-morrow. This proposal would pessibly &c* adversely on farmers, in enabling working mem to put men int-c the county councils pledged to raise the rates, and make the noney fly in the interests >f labour I am not a rank Conservative in my views, and I believe in fair play all round, but if the Labour party is to get on iop of everybody New Zealand will bi a splendid country to stay away from amd read about at 2 'stance.