The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8000 Weekly. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20. 1908.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3786, 20 May 1908, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8000 Weekly. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20. 1908.

In continuance of our notice of the proceedings at the meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Farmers' ; Union, we call attention to the motion moved by Mr Barugh, which \ reads: "That the members of the Farmers' Union support only those candidates who pledge themselves to further legislation to exclude farmers from coming under the operations of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and that a question 6n*this matter be put to all candidates by the Farmers' Union." This was carried unanimously. The primary reason urged by one of the speakers was that experience had taught that employees can refuse to abide by the awards of the Court almost with impunity, whereas employers can, and are compelled, to obey them. The late Mr Seddon refused to go so far as to apply the Act to farmers. It is the custom of the Court to make an award extending- over a series of years. So variable are the circumstances under which the farmer carries on his operations, and so variable the .Results, that awards to be approximately just as between the employer and the employee would require to be made at least annually. There is an element of speculation in a farmer's pursuits. The season may prove favourable, or so unpropitious as to result in loss; it is impossible that any Court could, with any certainty of accuracy, assess in advance the wages which the men who run the risk will be able to pay. It is not only the season which a farmer has to consider—the value of his produce is largely ruled by those which prevail in the world's markets, and these are governed by the harvest conditions in other countries. When the boot manufacturer makes a pair of boots by means of employed labour, he is, at any rate, certain that he will have a pair of boots to sell, and can make a shrewd guess as to how much they will realise, with an enormously heavy customs duty in his favour. If the farmer employs labour to prepare and seed his paddocks he has no security that he will receive back the wages he has paid, to say ', nothing of a profit over and above, which he can fairly look for. If the Arbitration Act is applied to the farming industry, we feel confident that i it will prove a serious evil both to the farmer and the man he employs; and if bad times come upon us, it is tolerably certain that it vwll similarly affect all other branches of industry. The Arbitration Act is only calculated to swim in a smooth commercial ocean—it will never survive a severe commercial storm. It has never yet been seriously tried; what few trials it has had go to show that failure awaits it at no very distant date.

The escape of prisoners from Waiotapu has had the result of bringing to light facts in connection with it which reflect the greatest discredit upon the Minister who holds the portfolio of Justice and the leading officials by whose advice he has been guided in some particulars. The system in itself may be right, so long as only : men undergoing short sentences for minor offences are sent there. It has been brought to light that men under sentence for murder, burglary, and other serious offences have been sent to the camp. Mr McGowan stated that only prisoners with a good prison record are sent there. It is notorious that old gaol-birds generally earn a good prison character. They know that certain privileges follow on good conduct—privileges which may not appear of any great moment to men enjoying their liberty, but are much valued by those suffering the monotony of a gaol life. Those suffering long sentences, more particularly those of a specially dangerous class, naturally look forward to a chance of escape. If these men by good conduct can get themselves transferred to Waiotapu, the means of escape is at once at their hands. It has been stated that those in charge of some of our gaols have sent some of their most troublesome prisoners to the camp. In any case they have found their way there, ard afford evidence that the Department is most grossly mismanaged and a want of common sense displayed.

Captain Edwin telegraphs:—Southeasterly moderate to strong winds; glass little movement; probably very cold night.

A Press Association telegram received this morning states that Cabinet has authorised £5600 for the Hamilton railway bridge.

A consignment of two year old perch for the Waikato Anglers' Club will reach Hamilton today from the Hawera Acclimatisation Society, and will be liberated in one of the small lakes in the Rototuna district, where it is hoped they will thrive. It has been decided to give the performance of the comedietta "The Managing of Betty," in aid of the St. Peter's Church Building Fund on 15th June, instead of 29th JJune as stated yesterday. The change in the date has been made in consequence of the Waikato Mounted Rifles being in camp at Te Rapa on the 15th, and they will thu3 be able to attend.

In connection with the statement that Mr Thomas Edison, the great inventor, is about to commence the construction of moulded concrete houses, the Wanganui Chronicle says a member of its editorial staff is in possession of a letter from Mr Edison, giving the rumour a complete denial. Mr Edison, it is added, says he had never thought of such a thing.

It is understood that Rua, the Maori prophet, goes to Wellington to confer with the Government regarding the throwing open of the Urewera Country for gold mining. It is an open secret that a rich reef has been located not far from Waikarernoana, and that an Auckland syndicate is prepared to start operations if the natives obstruction can be overcome.

Mr Allen Bell, President of the Hamilton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, left for Auckland this morning for the purpose of attending the annual provincial conference to be held on Thursday and Friday. Mr J. Barugh, the other delegate, went to Auckland on Monday. This will probably be the most important conference yet held. Many subjects of vital importance to the farmers will be discussed, especially that of the future political stand to be taken by the union.