The Waimate Advertiser. (Established 1898). Published every evening since 1914. THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1926. ARBITRATION COURT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 23 December 1926, Page 6

The Waimate Advertiser. (Established 1898). Published every evening since 1914. THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1926. ARBITRATION COURT.

The fuller reports of the nroceedings at the Wanganui meeting make it plain that the farmers have their eves upon their represzentativies in Parliament. “The farmers wanted a government that would give them some security regarding the demands of labor,” the summary of Mr Polson’s remarks runs “Every year, at a busy season, their industries were paralysed by the demands of labor, and they could’ not stand it any longer. Labor was organised. and they proposed to do likewise, and to hammer away as the American farmers had done. They had influenced public (opinion until, Congress was in sympathy, with them, and though New Zealand farmers did not aim at political action, they wanted public opinion with them.” Sir Andrew Russel, as might have been expected, expressed himself in some more diplomatic language. The land tax and wagefs, he said, had doubled-, while working expenses had more than doubled. Increase of output was wanted to, conform with the increase in wages. He believed, that high wageswould ultimately lead to greater consumption., but they, might have greater output to go with it. England’s purchasing power had diminished, and to combat their difficulties the farmers must have all sections of the community with them,. Labor included. Mr William Perry also kept his foot on the soft pedal, and it is unlikely that the abolition of the Arbitration Court will! be included in the framers’ new evangel. Though the Minister of Lands always has pre-.-sented a very firm front towards political Labor, it must not be assumed from his observation at the Wanganui meeting, to the effect that the big unions and the farmers' representatives seemed agreed; as to the abolition of the Arbitration Court, that he is favorable to such a step himself. As a. matter of fact, he has expressed' himself again and again as anxious to assist in the development of the spirit of conciliation and arbitration. He stipulates, however, for a strict observance of the law on the part of the workers themselves and the maintenance of good faith on hath sides. It is the emphasis be has imparted to these demands, probably, that has given rise to a fairly .widespread impression that he is not very favorably disposed towards • the existing labor legislation. The impression, it safely may lie said without consulting th: Minister is unfounded. His colleagueall are pledged to a sane Labor policy, and there is not the slightest r;,".son for supposing that the Reform Party,

or any considerable section Iwrs. is dreaming of old weapon of “brute fo tte A that happened at the ' ing is going to lead to a oi that kind.