FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10656, 27 May 1913, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association, • Masterton, May 27. j The Farmers' Union Conference: opened this morning, Mr J. G. Wilson presiding. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr W. J. Birch, "That the conference learns with dismay that there is a likelihood of an agreement being entered into between the Shipping Companies and the Waterside Workers' Union, whereby free labourers are to be excluded from work on the wharves. If the recently formed Wharf Workers' Union at Timaru is to be ignored by the parties to the agreement, this is such an unwarranted interference with the liberty of the subject and suoh a menace to the farming community that this conference protests against such unholy alliance. The monopoly of tne Shipping Companies is already a danger and an expensive one to the community, but if combination between them and the wharf labourers l is permitted they will be able to charge any freight, any charges, and practically proniDit any possible chance of a new line or steamers being started to combafi the present monopoly; and that this resolution ba forwarded to the Premier."