FARM LABOURERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13369, 20 August 1907, Page 5

FARM LABOURERS.

mklting at tk.muka. Uk flatman uuticikfjl A meeting of (lie 'fcinuka. Branch of the Farm Labourers' Union wn:i lield in the Oddfellows' 1-l.dl, Temuka, hist evening, .Mr .). R. Washington, president, in the chair. Owing to (he night being very wet, the. attendance was much smaller lliiin had been expected, only about 40 being present. The president, in his opening remarks, sai 'iltjio principal business of the evening was to appoint a permanent secretary and to discuss the Union's draft "Farm Labourers Federation Bill"; and jMr Flatman's " Farm Labourers' Accommodation Bill."

Mr J. Cooper proposed that Mr F. Woofcndcn be appointed permanent secretary, and this Mas carried unanimously. In consequence of the comparatively small attendance, it was unanimously agreed to postpone consideration of' the Farm Labourers' Federation Hill, in order that it; may be dealt with by a larger meeting. Mr Flaloian's If arm Labourers' Accommodation Bill was discussed, and the following resolutions were passed regarding

Proposed by Mc.'si-s Laracy and T. Washington—"That tliis branch of .the Farm Labourers' Union considers Mr Flatman's Bill vague and useless, a.nd for all purposes cjiiito unlit for the workers of the colour." . ' ■ . Proposed by Messrs Cooper and Macintosh—"Thai this Union regards Mr Flatman's Bill as a. mockery." . These motions were carried unanimously. In- speaking to the.first revolution. Mr I/aracy said that the introduction of Mr Flalm'an's Hill had the ground from beneath the onlv opportunity that the workers had of obtaining % fair award from the Arbitration Court. He. added that the Union had now a membership of about 1500 in this district; and it was Uieir intention to agitate for reforms in regard to wages and accommodation. Mr FJatman. he wiid. h-'d never been.a friend to th workers in the past, and whether he stood for Ashburton or for Geraldnie lie would find the worker's opposed to him. the- Unuiri would endeavour to haive a say in the 'eleetion of a candidate in enrh electorate, and would oppose every candidate who would not undertake to see that justice was done to the farm labourers. 'Mr W. Hopkinson junr.. endorsed Mr Laracvs criticism of Mr Flittitian as a, friend of the workers, :md slated that on one occasion Mr Flalmau was only dissentient at a •meeting of the .County Council when one of the employees 'asked for an increase of wages. After some general discussion of an un'important character it 'wa-'i agreed . to adjourn the meeting sine.die-. .. ' A hearty vole of thanks was passed to Mr Larac'v for his seryic.es in the nasi., on the motion of Messrs E. W. Jones and Washington. - MOVEMENT BY FARMERS. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, August 19. A large number of the branches of the Farmers' Union in Otago arc recommending the executive to make a strong effort to have farm labourers excluded from the operation;, of the Arbitration Act, as an outcome of the:present trouble in Canterbury. .