SOME PLAIN TALKING.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13171, 29 July 1911, Page 4

SOME PLAIN TALKING.

LUiiTEn Peess Association.]

Wellington, July 28

There was some plain talking at tlic farmers' Conference to-day on the following motion, introduced by Mr. Evans (Canterbury); "That the Conference take into consideration iJie operations of the Arbitration Act w'th reference to its bearing on the ndu.^tries of the Dominion, as it is of oj niion that it is seriously retarding their development, and that the Government be asked to appoint a Royal Commission of practical men to inquire Into the operations of the Act." 1 Tho mover said that if the workers did not have decisions by the Court made in their favour they threw over the Court and took the law into their own hands. Farmers were disturbed, not by actual workers On farms, but by I their loaders.

Another speaker asserted that the \vli "'o of the farming industry was r.'bl<ete 1 "-.o paralysis by these agitators. Luv.tUiil'y the motion vas amcin.i J and carried to the effect: "That the advisory committee take into consideration the operations of the Arbitration Act with refei-cnco to its bearing on industries and submit the results to the Minister of Labdlir. Later. *fhe Dominion conference of the Farmers' Union concluded to-day, | when the following resolutions were carried:—That the Union views with concern the fact as reported from London of the control flf the Shaw Savill Shipping Company by the Morgan Combine, as the shipping companies are so boumi up with the frozen meat industry of the Dominion, and urges the Government Ift keep a watchful eye over possible means of American control of this very important industry of tile Dominion, and that this conference take the matter in hand and put it before tiie Government. That consideration bo given to methods under which experiments are carried out on Government experimental farms and that the advisory committee be requested to consult the Minister of Agriculture upon the subject after making the necessary inquiries. That the conference be requested to take steps to have railway rates for Farmers' Union excursions placed on the same scale as those of friendly societies. That the conference urge on the Government the need of passing tlw long delayed Local Government Bill. That tho Government be asked to amend the Trade Marks Act so as to cnablaany wool brand to be registered. That individuals who may have a Government mortgage over their properties have the right to insure in any reputable office. That the Government be requested to enact that Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards be the recipients of all auctioneers', public house, and motor vehicles license fees. That the conference bring under the notice of the Union questions of combines promoted to keep up the price of farmers' supplies with a view to suggesting a remedy for the same. That the banks throughout the Dominion be asked to extend their closing hours on Saturdays to one o'clock. That the Union appoint a day to be called Fanners' Union Day, on which sports, picnics, or any form of amusement may be held in various districts, to give farmers and their wives and families an interest in the Union and increase its membership. That a protest be made against the way in which the so-called co-operativ'o works of the Dominion are carried out, and that the Dominion Executive urge upon the Minister for Public Works the desirability of again reverting to the contract system of labour.

That the Union be asked to have the law relating to horse stealing amended at as early a date as possible, as the present law is very unfair to horse owners.

Tile resolutions carried will beuforwardede to the Ministers in charge of the various departments to which they relate.