FARM LABOURERS' DISPUTE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9173, 22 August 1908, Page 5

FARM LABOURERS' DISPUTE.

ARBITRATION COURT JUDGEMENT. PRACTICALLY NO AWARD. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, August 21. The Arbitration Court's award in the farm labourers' dispute has been issued. It extends over four columns of an ordinary newspaper. The court's decision is in \hi nature of a judgment, and fonivjd the award. After setting forth the demands of the union, which cover a full column of close print, ihe judgment says:— "The court is asked to bring under the operation of an award all employers engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits in the industrial district of Canteroury. If such an award were made, the court could not reasonably refuse to make a similar award in other industrial districts, and before such extensive interference is justified, it must be clear that substantial grievances exist, which can be redressed effectually by tie court, and that the benefits to be obtained by its interference will more than compensate for any mischief that may result from such interference. The union failed to prove the existence of any substantial grievances or abuses that would justify the interference of the court with the whole farming industry of Canterbury, and the court found it impossible to fix any definite hours for daily work for general farm hands without materially altering the system under which farming is carried on at the present time." The conclusion of the court on th<? whole matter of fixing hours and wages was that it would not be practicable to make the award general to farm hunds without seriously altering farming conditions. The court was relieved of the necessity of making an attempt in that direction by the cose not being made out. As to shepherds, musterers. and packers, the court made the Otagohouthland award applicable to Canterbury. Mr M'Cullough did not concur in the court's judgment, which, however, includes s:nne recommendations as to harvest payments, holidays, and mid day rests. Practically no award is given.