THE FARMERS' PRODUCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 97, 30 May 1913, Page 2

THE FARMERS' PRODUCE.

And The Water-side Workers.

Question of Free Labour.

By the Pukekohe branch of the Farmers' Union, an! by other branches throughout this district, t'-.is quattion was sr.ma time afo discussed:—"What will the farmers do in the event of the watersidj worker] going cut. on strike?" The matter was of very real impnrtr.ee. Would the farmers sit calmly by a:,d permit their produca to p: r I =h on the wharves while the workers adjusted their differences? Or would the farmers take off their coats (as it the coats of the farmers wen not always off) —and save their produca bv loaiing it tn to the vearels themselves? "Strike - breakers," somebody whispered, as if it were a ehEme upon the farmers to save the hardwen fruit of their own toil when jeopardised by the disputes of other people. WORKERS AND SHIPPERS. A message from Chri3tchurch says that the latest developments in connection with the suggested agreement between the shipping companies ar.d the waterside workers on the subject of the employment of free labour point to the likelihood of tha promised conference to he attended by representatives of shipping companies not being held. It appears that the protests which have been mada in oifferent patis of the Dominion have had the effect of postponing the consideration of the proposal, if not of leading those directly interested to drop it altogether. In Labour circles in Christchurch complete ignorance ol the matter is the attitude taken up by those approached for informs* ticn. Mr A. W. Becnetf, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, informed a reporter tc-dav that the proposal for a"con Terence of shipping representatives in Christchurch (lid not emanate from the New Zealand Shipping Company. On (he contrary the company did rot consider it necessary toehold a conference at all. At a meeting to-day of the comrr.i tee of tha Canterbury Sheepowneis' Uniji?, the following resclutinq was passed:—"lhat this meeting emphatically protests against any agreement being mada such as has been suggested between the shipping companies and the Federation cf Labour." AUCKLAND PROVINCE PROTESTS. The following resolution in connection with the proposed shipping agreement whs passed at a meeting of the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association, held on Tuesday evening "That this association, on celialf of the employers of labourin the Aucklard provincial district, most strcngly protest* against any agreement being made between shipping companies and the Fideraticn of Labour for the purpose of excluding free labourers, and considers that any such agreement would te a grots injustice not only to all employers and business men, hut also to a large section of rational and law-abiding woikers throughout the Dominion. It further considers that such an agreement woulJ have a far-reaching effect, to the serious detriment of the commercial arid industrial prosperity of the country " The following resolution was passed by a meeting of the Auckland mast r paintirs last evening:— "That this meeting of Auckland master painters emphatically protests auainst the proposed agreement between the shipping companies and the Federaton of Labour excluding free labour, and considers that such action would have a most destructive effect on labour conditions throughout the Dominion."