SUBSIDY FOR TRAINING OF NEW SHEARERS

Chronicle (Levin), 5 September 1947, Page 5

SUBSIDY FOR TRAINING OF NEW SHEARERS

WEllLINGTOJST, Sept 4. A subsidised scheme for the training of shearers, spOnsored by the Depai'tnient of Labour and Eniployment in conjunction with the New Zealand Wool Board and NeYV Zealand Workers' Union was announced tonight by the Minister of Labour, Hon. A. MeLagam The Minister said the number of active shearers had declined steadily in recent years and a recent survey of the number of shearers likely to be available this season gave eause for eoncern. At a conference of representatives of . all the interested parties a recommendation was made that a subsidy scheme for the tra'ining of shearers be inaugurated forthwith. To meet the total eost of subsidies to be paid to farmers engaging learners, the New Zealand Wool Board agreed to make finance available for the 1947-4S season. In conjunction with the Wool Board and Workers' Union, the department had drawn up a training scheme wliieh would be administered by the distriet officers of the department assisted by local committees. The scheme provides for .training inexperienced men in' shearing sheds during actual shearing operations. A learner will be given three weeks' tuition by a qualified shearer and during the course will reeeive weekly Yvages of £5 13s plus free keep. It is expected that by the expiry of the three Yveeks most Jearners will be able to "make a tally of at least the equivalent of £5 13s, but if they have not attained that standard and shearing is still available in the shed, they will eontinue to reeeive a weekly wage of £5 13s or 3s Id per hour. The subsidy will be paid to the farmers and shearing contractors engaging the learners to compensate them in some measure for de lays incidental to teaching beginners. The subsidy will be at the fate of £3 per man-weelt during the thi'Ce weeks course. Of this £1 weekly will be diverted to the instr-uctor. Those shean ing contractors who are bound by an award to engage learners will nol qualify for the subsidy. The Minister said the scheme would be an inducement to young men to take up the eraft of shearing, and only by training more shearers could the present shortages be overeome.