“PUSH IT THROUGH”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 14 November 1927, Page 5

“PUSH IT THROUGH”

FARMERS’ VOICES RAISED FAVOURING ARBITRATION AMENDMENT. TELEGRAM TO PRIME MINISTER (Per Press Association). Pahiatua, Nov. 14. The directors of the Pahiatua Farmers’ Association forwarded a telegram to the Prime Minister as follows: Trade union secretaries and Employers’ Federation secretaries do not speak for the farmers. We challenge the statement made by Mr. Bishop, secretary to the Employers' Federation, to the effect that the farmers are an ignorant rabble who cannot sneak for themselves. We are looking to you for definite leadership and respectfully request you to push the Arbitration Amendment Bill through -the House this session. The farmer's present condition is rotten. It is reported that local suppliers to the Hopelands Dairy Company have despatched a telegram to the Premier urging Cabinet to proceed with the Arbitration Amendment Bill. At the Pahiatua farmers’ Saleyards Association directors' meeting the chairman, Mr. Dan O'Brien, said:— The farmers should be on the lookout lor they would be snowed under by those whose interests were directed to keepthe primary producer tied down to his farm. Mr. O’Brien added that the tact was that the evidence Being given before the committee which was to report to Parliament on the Bill was being heavily weighted against the farming communitv by trade union secretaries and Employers’ Federation secretaries and bv others who, it was alleged, had axes to grind.» Strong exception was taken by the meeting to the fact that Mr. Bishop, secretary to the Wellington Employers’ Association, has been permitted to give evidence no less than three times. “If this sort of thing is being permitted,” said Mr. O’Brien, “it is high time we farmers made our weight felt. If we do not there is no douht but that the Bill Will be so badly mutilated that, it will be useless."