FARMERS AND UNIONISM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 17 November 1913, Page 4

FARMERS AND UNIONISM.

The question is being persistently asked why the farmers of New Zealand should endeavour to bring the waterside workers under an Arbitra- ■ tion Court award, wliile at the same time they resist any effort to secure an award for farm labour. At first sight, ■ihe attitude of the farmers might appear illogical; but when we examine the position we find that there is absolutely no analogy between the two cases. The farm labourer, as a rule, is a single man. lie is paid and provided with food in wet and dry weather. His wages vary according to the class of work he undertakes. His work is not requisite to the maintenance of the State services. He is frequently serving an apprentice-ship that will qualify him to become a farmer himself. If farm labourers were brought under the Arbitration 'Act there would require to be different awards for the milker, the shepherd, the gardener, the scrub-cutter, the docker, the chauffeur, wie ploughman, the stacker, the harvester, and so forth. Indeed, it would be impossible to conduct tho affairs of the farm under such conditions, With the water-sider it is different. His work is necessary for the maintenance of the State' •services. He is paid: by the hour. There is no dissimilarity in the labour, excepting as to the degree cf strength required. His work is intermittent. There is .also another striking difference between the watersider and tho farm labourer. The former demands an agreement with his employer; the latter is satisfied to work on an oral engagement."