COURT AWARDS

Southland Times, Issue 20171, 6 May 1927, Page 8

COURT AWARDS

FARMERS’ UNION DEBATE BASIS ON PROSPERITY SUGGESTED PROHIBITIVE FREIGHT CHARGES ALLEGED. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 5. The Dominion Farmers’ Executive had a debate on the Arbitration Court, based on remits from several unions. Several members spoke strongly against the Court and advocated its abolition. The president (Mr Polson) considered that that would only result in chaos. There were hot-headed employers as well as employees, and there was little chance of getting the Government to agree to its abolition. He suggested that they should reaffirm elimination of preference to unionists and third party risks, and that the suggestion be made to the Court that all future awards should be baaed on the prosperity of the industry. A motion to this effect was carried. An instance was quoted to the executive of alleged excessive charges on produce. Forty-nine sacks of potatoes consigned from Ashburton to Wellington sold for £22 1/3, and the charges for rail and steamer, cartage, etc., were £l3 0/7. Strong condemnation was expressed of such an impost on trade. One speaker said trade between the two islands was impossible under these conditions. EMPLOYERS’ VIEWS. ABOLITION OF COURT NOT FAVOURED. Wellington, May 5. The Employers’ Federation to-day issued a policy statement through its secretary stating it was not in favour of the abolition of the Arbitration Court, but stated that employers and workers have made too much use of the Court instead of facing the solution of their own difficulties. The Federation therefore, although supporting the arbitration system and approving the present constitution of the Court strongly recommends that employers in each industry should devise some method suitable for the industry for payment by results and so encourage greater production. They then should urge upon the Court in every way possible that such methods be incorporated in awards.