I am not going to delay the House as there has been such an interval of time since the last debate. I am not going to go over any of the statements made by different Senators. I am satisfied that we made a case on behalf of the agricultural workers and that there has been no answer to that case. It stands, and, therefore, as far as I am concerned, I do not intend to challenge a division. I ask leave to withdraw the motion.
Agricultural Industry: Wages and Guaranteed Economic Prices for Produce—Motion (Resumed).
Debate resumed on the amendment to the following motion by Senators Tunney and Smyth:—
Recognising the importance to the community of the agricultural industry and the necessity for maintaining in that industry the maximum number of persons gainfully employed, this House deplores the inadequacy of the measures taken up to the present for ensuring to the farmer an adequate remuneration for his services and the low level of wages provided for the agricultural worker; calls attention to the unsatisfactory character of the machinery set up by statute to fix and regulate agricultural wages and requests the Government to—
(a) provide by legislation for the payment of a guaranteed economic price for all agricultural produce including live stock and live-stock-products, and
(b) reconstitute the Agricultural Wages Board in such a manner as to afford to agricultural workers direct representation on the board; and to take such action as may be necessary to ensure that agricultural workers will be paid a living wage adequate to the needs of the worker and his family.
Amendment:—
In sub-paragraph (a) to delete all words after the word "legislation" to the end of the sub-paragraph and substitute therefor the words "for the stabilisation of rates on agricultural land at the rates prevailing in the local financial year 1914-15";
and to delete all words after the word "paid" in the second last line and substitute instead the words "the highest wage which the agricultural industry in the different areas can afford to pay".—(Senator Counihan.)
I also ask leave to withdraw the amendment standing in my name.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Motion, by leave, withdrawn.