AGRICULTURAL DRAMATIS PERSON/E 67 



more difficult, still experience proves tiiat they are of 

 equal value to the rural worker and therefore should be 

 developed. It is essential that he should be given an 

 insight into the simple economics of the industry ; 

 there is nothing our workers stand in need of so badly as 

 some understanding of economic principles. With that 

 knowledge they can take a broader view, and they will 

 be able to distinguish between what is good and w'hat 

 is bad for their industry ; and as voters they will be 

 better able to weigh the questions upon which they 

 have to vote.^ 



THE WAGE BOARDS 



It is impossible to bring this section to a close without 

 a brief reference to the Wage Boards. 



I was one of the first to advocate their formation ; 1 

 believed them to be essential, and I still hold to the 

 principle. 



During the war we could not have done without them ; 

 independent action on the part of the labourers and 

 farmers could never have succeeded in adjusting the 

 wages throughout the country, as it was necessary that 

 they should be adjusted. There can be little doubt 

 that without the wage boards a very dangerous situation 

 would have arisen between employer and employed. 

 Further, the Government could not have given the 

 guaranteed prices to the farmer without the set-ofi' of 

 the \N age Boards. 



During the period of great crisis I consider that the 

 Central Wages Board made a great mistake in its policy 

 — its one aim should have been to fix a generous wage, 

 and not to go into details in regard to hours, or to interfere 

 in the relations between employer and employed. 



* See Appoiulix No. I I 



