THE FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1442, 17 May 1912, Page 10

THE FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

OBNOXIOUS CARGOES. A Press Association message from Auckland mivs that in Hie cour.-e of a letter to the secretary of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union regarding an invitation In the representatives of Hie Palmers' Union Trading to attend a meeting ot the transportbranch of the New Zealand I'edemlion of Labour at Wellington, with a view to arriving at mi 'amicable settlement on Iho (location of the handling of obnoxious cargoes, the seerelary of the Auckland branch of tho Farmers' Union says, iuler alia: "There is- difficulty .in regard to the conference proposed by you, ilia— much as it, appears to be dominated by the Federation of Labour .Wm-iatinn. My union entirely disapproves of the expressed aims and methods of that association, and while anxious to consult, and agree, if possible, with your union, we must declino to send any rc.prc,»cntntivo of the Farmers' Union to tnke part in tho-deliberation!; of'the New Zealand Federation of Labour; at the same time, our union desires to carry out and continue the understanding arrived at when wo met to consider the 'question of handling manures."

Farmers' Union Viewpoint,

The Dominion secretary of the 1 armera' Union,' Mr. E. C. Jack, interviewed .in reference to the above telegram, stated' that three months ago the Auckland executive .of • the- Farmers' Union held a hurried ■'conference with the Auckland branch of the -AVater.-ido Workers Union in regard to the matter of handling and bagging -manures in paper-lined bags,, and a tentative arrangement was entered into under which the Vi orkcrs Union waived its demand for paper-lined bags, in consideration of the manure being shipped in ba.gs not exceeding 1401b. weight, and the material of which the bags were made to 1)3 approved by a joint committee. Apparently, the W ork-crs'-Union had trausfened consideration of "the matter to the New Zealand reiteration of Labour, whose methods of settling disputes do not commend themselves to the Farmers' Union,, and tend to introduce into the discussion matters which would prejudice the case from the farmers' point of -view. The trouble; is one. which onlv concerns the M aterside Workers' Union, and should be ea.-ily fixed up at a round-the-table conterence. The Farmers' Union would, lie was certain, gladly send representatives to a conference between the merchants and the Waterside Workers' Union at the various ports. In fact, added' Mr. Jack, as anv extra cost would be passed on to the farmer, it is only right and. proper that the union, as representing the farmers should take part in any arrangement made. Too often, in the past, agreements have been fixed up between tho 'merchants-and industrial unions, without the farmer, who has to eairy the ■burden, being consulted.in the matter.

Chamber of Commerce View. A proposition has been made that, the Chambers of Commerce should interest themselves in the matter of dealing with cargoes considered obnoxious by the Wharf Labourers' Unions. This suggestion was received from the Christchurch Chamber by the Wellington Chamber, which wrote asking for further information, but no .reply, has been received so .that as. far as is known, here there 'will not be W-.confe'rence on -.the 'question during ' the : Federation of Labour conference, to bo held in Wellington next week.