PREMIER IN THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 97, 13 April 1908, Page 2

PREMIER IN THE SOUTH.

MEETING AT KAITANGATA. VOTE 01' COX FI DUNCE. Per Press Association. Kaitangata, Last Night. Hie Prime Minister, at. the invitation of I his Coal .Miners' Union, delivered a political address 111 Kaitangata last night, Ihe Mayor (Mr. Yates) presiding. Referring to the finances, he said that lor the year just closed the revenue of tile Dominion was nearly nine millions sterling; it would be at least £8,800,000. lie also dealt at some length with the arbilration and conciliation system, his remarks on the subject being very much on the lines of his Aucklaud speech towards the end of month. The whole trouble under the arbitration system was that it brought every man who was working for a living under an award t-o a dead level, if a mail was a good worker he could not earn more than an inferior worker, with the 10 suit that tile man who wanted in the same time, by the exercise of his superior skill or better education, to earn more than the man who was not so skilled, could not do so. For that reason he considered tin.' country wanted a more perfect system of arbitration and conciliation. The law required amendin.!; and improving. If they were to luive 110 system of arbitration and confiliation in New Zealand for the workers and employers, then instead of saying "We have a system to settle difficulties between employer and employee," let them say that though they believed the law to be a good one. tliey should repeal it and have done with it. The sooner that the people discussed the matter with their representatives and among themselves, the sooner would the country arrive at an improved system of arbitration and conciliation or decide to do away with it altogether. They could not have a law 011 the Statute Book to prevent strikes and side by side with it luive strikes going on, not* withstanding the law. In the present trouble 011 the West Coast the Government had not interfered since the decision of the Arbitration Court, and did not intend to interfere. The subject was one that should not be used by Midsection of t he community for political reasons, and flu' Government, did not want to get support by "footballing" a matter that was of the deepest concern to tile men. The Government was prepared to improve the system of arbitration and conciliation, though so lofig as the law stood as it was at present it must be obeyed, and if either side disrespected it, 110 one need step in and ask the Government to help. The Government would not do it, because it would be a dishonorable thing to do. After some remarks on a number of other subjects, the Prime Minister resumed his seat amid hearty applause. Mr. J. Mosley moved, "That this meeting expresses its thanks to the Rt. Hon. Sir .1. G. Ward for his address, and its continued conlidence in hiin and in the Government he represents." The motion was carried without dissent. On Monday the Prime Minister visits Lawrence.