ARBITRATION ACT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1927, Page 1

ARBITRATION ACT

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS’ UNION. LEVIN, May 17. Tho interprovinriaT conference of the Wellington, Manawatu, Wanganui and Wairarapa Farmers’ Unions is being held at Levin and is attended by fifty delegates under the presidency of Mr T. Currie (Wanganui). Remits favouring abolition of the ‘Arbitration Court were rejected in favour of an amendment that- the Arbitration Act he amended by deleting preference to unionists, providing for tho hearing of a third party, such as tho Farmers’ Union, in all cases affecting primary producers; that when ail award is being framed its effect on the industry be carefully considered; that before a strike a secret ballot must be taken under the strictest supervision, failure to do this to make tho union concerned subject to a substantial fine; that in the event of these amendments not being embodied in legislation ill the coming session the Farmers’ Union fight to have the Court abolished. A further amendment carried was that the union should he represented in all cases directly affecting the industry.

Other remits carried were:—That the Government ho urged to curtail public expenditure on unproductive works and to specialise in making the back country more accessible by roads negotiable twelve months in the year. That with a view to helping the back-block settlers the Government be urged to give increased riding subsidies to counties with large areas of deteriorated lands. That the union assist the Dairy Farmers’ Union in stressing the seriousness of the proposed tax on bacon and butter ns proposed by New South Wales.

That the Government be urged to introduce legislation compelling banks to pay interest on current accounts. That the Government be urged not to further increase import duties on timber, the union believing that duties should be for revenue purposes only.

'ljhat taxation on motor vehicles be in the form of a tax on petrol, with exemptions for users of petrol for other purposes than road transport.