“STRATFORD EVENING POST.” SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1927. FARMERS ORGANISING.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 2, 10 September 1927, Page 4

“STRATFORD EVENING POST.” SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1927. FARMERS ORGANISING.

.Recently, in tin’s column, we drew attention to (he unprincipled method by which the New .South Dales Wage Commission increased the rural wage to four guineas per man. Many people naturally wondered if the farmers would tolerate it i" the old phlegmatic manner as being just one more "imposition from the Covemment, or if, in this advanced age, they would realise thaf. they had the power to upset the decision. It will he remembered that the Commissioner declared the rural minimum wage without considering the evidence of the farmery, he actually refused to receive it at that time, hut stated he would hear it some time hater on. That it was quite impossible to

pay the amount of wages suggested, or to comply with. the conditions sought, has not deterred those who, for political reasons, have foisted this artificial, hot-honpe wage system on the dairy farmer. The folly of shackling au industry, which seldom, if over, succeeds in paying those who have invested their all in. Its pursuit, an ordinary return for the money invested, with the gyves of a wage set at an uneconomic level, and with the fetters of impossible and unworkable condition, never, of course, entered into the calculations of those who, politically minded, arc only able to think in terms of political expediency. In esulpating his colleagues and himself for the extraordinary reversal of legal procedure, the Commissioner stated that the more fact of making that declaration simply left the employers and employees in rural industries in the same position as they were prior to making such declaration. Such a remarkable misrepresentation of the true legal position, coming from an official who, It ,musfb he admitted, posiscssei; a *vide' and erudite knowledge oM'nidims trial legislation, is bo amazing that one can hardly credit that it. should have emanated from the Industrial Commissioner, hor lie must have known when he made that declaration, and he must know now, that when he. on behalf of the other members of the Commission, declared a rural living wage of four guineas, he rset a standard by which, the incidence of all awards affecting the rural industries would he regulated. Owing to the extraordinary line of conduct adopted by the industrial Commission last month, any aw aid laffeeting the dairying industry must of statutory necessity he governed by that declaration, and no wage provided in any award can he made at a rale lower than four guineas weekly This should have the effect of aligning many industrial organisations with the farmers in opposing; the application of the award. .

Bub thanks to their experience in recent years and to the obvious necessity* for organising in all avenues of the industry. The 'farmers are in a position to put up a strong fight and the units throughout the State arc being called together for the purpose of presenting a solid front to the Government. The fight is on and it will he surprising if the weight of evidence which will he produced, and the enorgetie opposition of the united romnnmity are not sufficient to annul, or postpone the application of the new award. In any event it will have the effect of further consolidating forces in Now South Wales, and probably throughout Australia, and tiie autocratic Labour Government will shortly learn that there is a force in the Commonwealth which lias not yet been truly estimated. The. principle also applies to Now Zealand. If the farmers are to get that consideration and assistance to which the importance of their work as primary producers entitles them, organisation and consolidation are essential. The fight in New South Wales will be watched with interest, as it should produce many lessons of importance to farmers.