DEFECTS IN ARBITRATION

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1927, Page 7

DEFECTS IN ARBITRATION

FARMERS’ UNION OPINIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. At the annual conference of the Otago provincial council of the Farmers’ Union to-day remits from three branches dealing with the Conciliation and Arbitration Act were considered. The Milton branch’s remit was as follows: “(a) That the preference to unionists clause be deleted from the Act; (b) that provision be made in the Act for the right of a third party, such as the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, to appear officially in the Arbitration Court during disputes affecting the farmers of the Dominion; (c) that provision be made fn the Act for the. consideration by the Court of the effect that an award, if made, would have on the industry concerned; (d) before any union or combination of unions can declare a strike or an organised refusal to accept work a secret ballot of all workers concerned must be taken under strict supervision. Failure to do this shall make the union or unions concerned subject to a substantial fine.”

£he Te Ilouka branch was responsibly for the following remit: “That this con-; ference urges the abolition of the Industrial and Conciliation Act, and considers that the consequent institution of a system of payment by piecework, would be in the interests of the whole community.”

The Lawrence branch proposed: “That the Arbitration Court system of fixation of wages on the cost of living basis, without due consideration to the ability of the industries concerned to pay those wages, and without due regard to the fixation of the retail price, is not conducive to true prosperity or progress.” Mr. Murray said he thought the whole question of the arbitration system would be opened up by the Lawrence remit, which should be taken first. This course was agreed to.

The adoption of the Lawrence remit was moved by Mr. Revie, who said the question had engaged the attention of farmers throughout the Dominion, and there could be no question as to its importance. The remit was adopted. The adoption of the Milton reiffit was carried. The chairman said he did not think it was necessary to bring up the remit from the Te Houka branch, and on his suggestion the remit was withdrawn.