FARMERS AND THE ARBITRATION COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2071, 24 December 1907, Page 3

FARMERS AND THE ARBITRATION COURT.

A SUGGESTED COALITION. (Special to Times! WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. For some time the New Zealand Em] foyers’ Fetlerat'an has been endeavoring to secure the affiliation ot the Fa^nlc^s , XJnioi s with, tihe local Emi.'overs’ Association, so that employs of all classes would be combined when dealing with industrial matters of any description. “ When it. became known recently, gaye the Post, “that the shearers were about to.file a dispute for hearing by the Conciliation- Board, Mr. Pryor, the secretary of the Federation, was requested to address meetings of farmer; at Pallmerston North and Feilding. At both of tli9°o centres successful meetings were held, anil arrangements made for the employers’ interests being looked after in connection with the dispute.” , ' , . “So far from there being any intention to fight the workers’ unions, remarked Mr. Pryor to a “Post reporter to-day, “it is confidently expectcc! so far as tlio sliearcrs dispute is concerned at any rate that owing to the very few points of difference between employers and workers an amicable . arrangement will he come to. I. am leaving in a few days for Waiirarapa, Hawke’s Bay and ilrnimanui districts to address meetings of farmers there, and I hope to successfully organise the farmers of tlio district for tho protection of their own interests in these matters. /Hie farmers,” he added, “will entirely object to appearing before the Conciliation Board, first of all because it is recognised to Iw simply a waste of time and money to do so, and particularly because a member of the Board has been instrumental in organising the workers, framing demands, and having the mattei referred to the Board. Those interested object to having to appear before a Bench of which this person is a member.”