The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1911. LABOUR ON THE FARM.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 32, 4 August 1911, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1911. LABOUR ON THE FARM.

ONE of the most important questions dealt with at the Farmers’ Union Conference, was the working of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. The impression in the minds of the delegates was that there was trouble ahead for the farmers in the working of this Act, and they were in all probability right. Unless something unforeseen occurs, we shall see a great deal of trouble in the not distant future. And the worst aspect of the question is, that the agitation is not caused by the worker himself, but brought’ about by those who do not care a fig for the true interests of the employer or employee, and even less for the interests of the country. The paid agitator is at the bottom of all the difficulty, and we cannot help thinking that the true working man is beginning to realise this. At least, it is a thousand pities if he does not, and it is to be hoped that even if he does not realise it now, he will soon do so. We are quite certain that in these days, there are very few differences between master and man but that could not be settled easily and quickly between both parties supposing that they are left to themselves. And the committee set up to investigate into this matter, will be well advised if they seek to get rid of this obnoxious individual, or at all events advise as far as possible the men to have nothing to do with him. It is only the incompetent and the lazy who can hope to benefit by the services of the agitator, and a crusade to rid the

country of these men, is as necessary as a crusade against the Mormons. We are glad the Union is taking the question up, and have no doubt that good will result, and the most effective way of dealing with the whole question is for the farmers to unite themselves. The greatest difficulty has been experienced in the past in getting the farmers to co-operate'. There is a very real danger in front of them now, and we hope they may realise it in time to organise and meet it with united, concerted action.