POLITICAL ITEMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13676, 19 August 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL ITEMS.

SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION BILL. Per Press Association. . PALMERSTON -Df| \ August: 18. _ At' a meeting of the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association to-day Mr W. E. Jacobs, referring to the Shearens' Accommodation Bill, stated that it was of a most drastic nature. lit simply meant that employers would have to find a five-roomed house for shearers at a cost of over £2OO for a weeks each year. They would require to find a dining-room, sleeping rooms for shearers and for cook, and a bathroom, and kitchem. He moved :—" That Jthis Association strongly protests against the Bill, which is quite uncalled for, and if carried will inflict grave hardship and quite unnecessary expense on sheepowners, especially owners of small flocks, in having to provide buildings which are only needed for a few days a year, and that this Association also respectfully protests against bills of this character, which seriously affect the agricultural and pastoral industries, being referred to the Labour Bills Committee to take evidence and report on. Further, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, and that Mr W. T. Wood, M.P. for Falmerston, be asked as-vice-president of the Association to oppose the Bill in Parliament." The motion s carried unanimously. ELTHAM, August .18. Mr G. P. Wake, a Liberal candidate for the Egmont seat, addressed a* meeting at Eltham last night. He defended the Government's finance, and combated the idea that the Government were opposed to farmers. He suggested an amendment of the Arbitration. Act by making Unions deposit a sum with the Government before they registered, and by automatic Cancellation of Unions that offended. In reply to a question, he said 'that he was a prohibitionist, and favoured the retention of the three-u>fhs majority. He was accorded a vote of thanks.