GOOD NEWS FOR FARMERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13732, 22 August 1908, Page 5

GOOD NEWS FOR FARMERS.

> THE FARM WORKERS' DISPUTE. ARBITRATION COURT WILL NOT INTERFERE. DECLINES TO MAKE AN AWARD. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, August 21. The decision of the Arbitration Court in the farm labourers' industrial dispute was filed this morning. After reviewing the circumstances under which the dispute came before the Court, and setting out the demands of tho union, the Court proceeds to give reasons why an award regulating the work of ploughmen and general hands, harve&t hands, and day labourers is impracticable. The rates of wages are then discussed, with passing reference to food and accommodation, and the v Cotirt then intimates: — "It appears to us, therefore, that, dealing with farm labourers generally, the union has failed to prove the f-xistenco of any substantial grievance or abuse that would justify the interference of the Court with the whole farming industry of Canterbury." After discussing tho question of hours, the judgment states: "It appears to us to be quite impracticable to fix any definite hours for the daily work of a general farm hand without altering materially the system under which farming is carried on at the present time." The Court goes on to say: "The conclusion we have come to on the wjbple matter is that it is not practicable to make an award fixing the hours of work and wages for general farm hands without altering seriously tho conditions under which farming is now carried on. If a strong case had been made out for interference the Court might have felt compelled, to make an award on the subject and to attempt to regulate the hours of work and wages of general farm hands. Such a case, however, has not been made out, and the Court is thus relieved from the necessity of making the -perilous attempt to regulate by award the whole farming industry of the Dominion." SUGGESTIONS TO EMPLOYERS. The following are the recommendations which the Court makes, to all farmers in the industrial district: — "(1) That all, day labourers who receive only a money payment for their services shall be paid not less than 7s per day; (2) that when general farm hands are employed at harvesting, the bonus to be paid to them shall be such a sum as will make their wages for the time they are actually engaged in harvest work not less than 50s per week ; (3) that wlienever it is reasonably practicable each farm worker shall be allowed a half -holiday on one day of the week if he desires it ; (4) that each regular farm worker 4sball be allowed at least one week's hfcliday in the year on full pay ; (5) that when general farm hands have to milk cows twjee a day they shall be allowed an interval for rest during the day in addition to the ordinary dinner hour, except, t)f course, at the busy season of the year." THE MINORITY'S OPINION. Mr J. A. McCullough, the workers' representative, does not concur in tJtySsi judgment. He is strongly of opinion 1 that grounds exist which justify- and render necessary the interference of ' the Court, and that it is possible to^ make a workable award on the subject. Speaking to a reporter, he expressed himself thus: "I hope that those who have it in their power to prevent a recurrence of what I conceive toi be a miscarriage of justice will use that power to obviate and remove a disability that can only be regarded by the workers as a hindrance to their aspirations and to their future prosperity." In reply to a question from the reporter, Mr McCullough said that owing to his official position he must refrain from saying a good many things to the farmers' workers that he would otherwise have said. He woukL, however, express the hope that they would not be discouraged l>y this temporary rebuff, but that they would rather see in it an additional reason for more complete organisation, so that the victories of the future would wipe out all memory oi the defeats of the past.