SHEARERS' CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 806, 2 May 1910, Page 10

SHEARERS' CONFERENCE.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT. The New Zealand Shearers and Woolshed Employees' Union held their annual confcrence in Wellington towards the latter part of March, and the beginning of the present month. A considerable number of resolutions were passed, the sitting extending over a week." Tho following selection of the inore , important decisions arrived at by the • conference ,is given by . the Christchurch "Press": — .That all federated unions be requested to run a .candidate at next elections, such candidate -to be a bona lid« member of a trade union, and that all members tako an active part in all political, municipal, and Hospital Board affairs; that where females are csiployed double bunks should bo found f«r married couples and separate apartments for single females; that a Bill re accommodation bo drafted and placed in the hands of Mr. M'Laron, M.P., to bring* before Parliament; that employers recogniso all orders from employees, and that organisers bo allowed access to shearers' huts, ad in the Wellington award; that any shearer using another machine or a duplicate other than that

supplied by the employor be liable tn a line of £10 j that shearing, shall cease at 12 noon on Saturday, irrespective of caiiso or causes; that when making engagement union tickets bo lodged as a. guarantee of good faith, in lieu of £1 deposit; that shed hands do none other than shed work; that contract cooking be abolished; that fares bo paid one way by employers, and where employees find their own means of locomotion, faro to bo allowed; that no pons be kept for shearers after day of roll-call; that sheep shall, be'free from dags when entering the shearers' hands, and no dagging to be done during , the process of shearing; that' the maximum numbor of fcbeep should be stated when engagements are being made; that in all cases where four or more machines are in use a competent expert shall be" employed; that an open vote.be taken'on the question, of wet sheep, only shearers being allowed to vote; no shearer shall bo compelled to shear sheep he has reasonable grounds to consider wet; that a shearer starting work where <i representative is not appointed shall be liable to arfine of 10s.; that steps be takon to ■ obtain i conference with employers to fix wages and conditions; that the price of shearing, sheep be £1 per 100 for all flock, sheep—wethers, lambs, .and. ewes; that a shed hands' agreements be. drawn up, and that the AAV.U. award be' taken as a basis; that' not less than' £2 per week and found bo paid to shed hands other than pressers; shall have not more than'five shearers to pick up for; that wool-pressers receive not less than £2 10s. per week and found up to ten shearers, and when ten or more shearers are employed the' price shall be Is. 6d. per bale of. .34 cwt., or 6d. per cwt., and when pressing with screw or other obsolete presses, 7d. per.cwt. ;• that organisers employed for shearing season only shall be paid 'not less than £5, and not inore than £6 per week. ■