TO CLEAR THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 303, 18 September 1919, Page 6

TO CLEAR THE AIR

THE FARMER AND LABOUR

"GIVE THE WORKERS FACTS" At tlio conference! of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union yesteiday, the Auckland delegates proposed a remit designed to clear the- atmosphere between the farmers 'and Labour. The remit was as follows-.—' "That in view of the present position, whereby middlemen ure exploiting both the producer and the consumer, and the position is very seriously misunderstood, particularly by the working clas3 consumer, a rTtoratnro committee should bo set up consisting of representatives of Labour and the I'arniore' Union, to com. pile leaflets showing the conditions of trade, as shown by tins cost of production, and prices received by producers, cost of distribution and prices charged to consumers, to be given the widest* circulation; turther, that each provincial conference arrange lor a conieraico between, the Labour unions and tho Fanners' Union." Mr. P. Keegan, the mover, said that the farmers sympathised with the workers who were- trying to shake- off the profiteer. Ho thought the issue of the proposed, literature would not bo a difficult task, Mr. D. Lysnar (Auckland) supported the remit. Ho thought that if it were put into practice a great deal of misunderstanding would be removed. llr. W. J. 'Birch (Marton) wae afraid that tho proposal might serve ■ only to increase- strife. The scheme might look liko a mere- endeavour on the part of the farmers to say upon the subject of pn> liteering, "It's not me, it's you." Mr. ('. K. Wilson (Auckland) gave the remit his support. Ho thought it would .assist to bury hostility between the farmers and Labour.

Mr. A. J. Nicliol (Southland) said it was high time that the farmers mode their position with regard to Labour clear. Ho believed the remit to be. a step in tho right direction. Air. G'. W. Leadley (Dominion vicepresident) ivau reminded of the dictum of Carlyle—"facts, feed me with facts!" He was sure that if the facts of the farmers' position were placed before, not only tho workew but before the general public, it would l)e a distinct advance. The community had been told for years that the farmers were "raking In money." Well, the community did not know ,any better, and the farmers should do something now to remove tho-old. Impression. He did not think that "the later extremists would be easy_ people to convince, because unfair criticism of the farmers was simply part of their stock-in-trade. . Something was to be hoped for, however, from moderate Labour. The remit was carried unanimously.