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Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19176, 6 December 1927, Page 13

ANXIETY OF FARMER MEMBERS

{THE PEESS Special Service.]

WELLINGTON, December 5. Tho first steps in calling a conference of all interested in the industrial situation as it affects all classes of the community were taken in the House of Representatives to-day. At the instance of the Prime Minister a committee representing all the Parties in the House was set up to arrange for the conference and its programme. The Prime Minister made it clear that tho conference would not be an attempt to solve the Dominion's industrial problems en masse, but that special attention would be devoted to each separate phase. Tho idea received the support of the other Party leaders in the House.

Speaking at the final stage of the session the Prime Minister (Mr Coates) said ho desired the views of the Leader of the Opposition and of the Nationalist Party on the suggestion that a committee representative of each Party should be set up to consider during the recess the Dominion's industrial situation. The House had been practically unanimous during tho passage of the I.C. aud A. Bill that the conference should be appointed, and it seemed to him desirable that Parliament itself should be consulted as to the procedure that should be adopted in regard to the conference. Llo therefore suggested that a committoo of members should be appointed to initiate the procedure to bo adopted, tho committee to consist of four members from the Government Party, two from the Labour Opposition Party, and two from the Nationalist Party. He did not see how the Prime Minister could very well be left out. however nmch he personally might desire it. Ho suggested as the members the Minister for Labour (Mr Anderson), the member for Clutha (Mr Waite), and the member for Wellington North (Sir John Luke), and the member for Palmerston (Mr Nash). He further suggested that the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) or a member selected by him, the member for Auckland West (Mr Savage), for instance, with another member of that Party, might represent that _ section With regard to the Nationalist Party ho thought their representatives might well be the leader, Mr Forbes, member for liurunui, and Mr Ransom, the member for Pahiatua.

Continuing, the Prime Minister said: "The Government are anxious that this conference, which has extraordinary possibilities, and all the elements necessary to bring employers and workers into closer touch with one another than ever before in this country, should be called together. I take it that the main object is t<J take counsel together, and endeavour as far as possible to make recommendations that will bring about a better feeling and more confidence between employer a.nd employed. There is also the question of the present position of the farmer, which is one that bulks very largely in this issue. There should be an anxiety and a determination to see if we, cannot arrange a conference that will be satisfactory to those interested in primary production. While apologising for taking up the time of members at this stage, I must emphasise that it is; too important a matter to treat lightly, and I hope we shall come to some such arrangement as I have suggested. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) supported the idea, and the constitution suggested by the Prime Minister for tne committee. Ine appointment of the committee was the first step that should bo taken. It would be for the committee toi draw up a programme. "I am quite confident that the idea suggested by the Prime Minister was vastly preferable to tho situation which would have arisen had the Bill, as drafted, been put through, added Mr Holland. He suggested that the Labour Party representatives should be Mr M. J. Savage and Mr I'. Fraser. He regretted that he personally would be unable to act, but anything that he could do to assist the conference forward would be done Forbes said good work could be done by such a conference. A lot of water had run under the bridges since the Arbitration Court was instituted, and 110 doubt the time had come for a thorough overhaul of this legislation. That could not be undertaken during | the session of Parliament in a comprehensive way. He had no doubt that such a committee would render valuable service, and various matters resulting in friction might be eliminated. He would bo pleased to assist in anv direction. . Mr" Lysnar (Gisborne) said there should be no attempt to make one big conference. There should be one in regard to the farmers, and another with other labour, and the Employers Federation. The Prime Minister said he thought it would work out in that way. There should be no section dominating, as against the farmers' interests. Mr Eliott (Oroua) said he could not agree with the personnel as mentioned from the Reform side of the House. He referred to Messrs Waite, Nash, and Luke, who were town members. He objected very strongly to the town interests being represented as against the country to such an extent He must protest, and he would not bind himself to stand by the Government on any decision that might be arrived at. The Prime Minister said he was afraid the hon. member for Oroua was meeting trouble half way. There were definite and separate questions th.it the conference would deal with separately. The farming interests would be entirely separate from the industrial interests. Mr Lysnar: I hope you will keep them so.

The Prime Minister, referring to Mr Eliott's protest, pointed out to him that in setting up such a conference they could not overlook the ohainnan on the Labour Bills Committee of the Flouse of Representatives, Sir John Luke. Mr Eliott: There are two men for the town against one in the country. Mr Coates: I trust that the honourable gentleman will realise that if that difficulty can he got over it will be.

The Prime Minister's suggestion was agreed to.

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