SHEARERS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 821, 19 May 1910, Page 4

SHEARERS' DISPUTE

CONCILIATION COUNCIL AT MASTERTON. QUESTION OF SHED-I-lANDS. (From our Masterton Correspondent.) Masterton, May 18. The sitting of the Conciliation Council (composed of Commissioner Hally and six assessors), which is being held in Masterton. to deal iviLli the shearers' dispute, was resumed this morning. The shearers'' representatives desired to have a clause inserted in the award, providing that os. per hundred and found shall lie paid for cnitching, and 3s. 6d. per hundred and found for dagging. The employers strenuously opposed tho clause, Mr. Campbell stating that ho would not dream of allowing anybody to interfere with his arrangements for erutching and dagging. It was decided to refer the matter to the Arbitration Court. The employers alto took strong exception to a condition asked for by tlio employees that shearers shall be paid for delays occasioned through tho breakdown of machinery. Mr. Geo. Wheeler said ho could not see that any advantage could be derived by further discussing the conditions laid down by the employees. The assessors for tho employers were determined hot to make further concessions. liepresentatives of tho shearers objected to the attitude taken up by tho employers. Tho employees' representatives wore there to conciliate, and were prepared to give and take. The stand taken up by the employers was that they were not prepared to discuss any of the now demands mado by tho shearers. Tho Commissioner expressed the opinion that they might discuss other conditions submitted by tho shearess, to seo if an agreement could he arrived at upon any of them. The next condition mentioned had referenco to tho crediting of shearers with 6d. per hundred for wear and tear of shears, etc. This was held by tho employers to bo a move in tho direction of further increasing the cost of shearing, and was consequently opposed. A clauso was agreed to that if the employers supply shears, combs, cutters, or oil to the shearers, these articles shall be supplied at cost price. . A proposal by tho shearers that contracting at differential rates should bo prohibited, was opposed by tlio employers, on the ground that this would prevent shearers exerting themselvees. The employers objected to a- condition that "no shearers shall use any machine other than that provided by the employer," but agreed to a proposal that "no employer shall provide any individual shearer with a double fork, or any other appliance for a wide-put comb, unless ho provides same for all other shearers on the board."

At this stage Messrs. Campbell and Wheeler, two of tl\o employers' assessors, retired, stating that they had urgent privai-c business to attend to. Mr. Abbott, 011 behalf of the shearers, thanked Messrs. Campbell and Wheeler for the assistance they had given in tho discussions before the council. Mr. Campbell: [ wish you good-day. May you have a good season before you, and may you have better masters than in the past ! Mr. M'Crao asked if it was not possible for fresh assessors to bo appointed. Mr. Pryor, for the. employers, stated that it was not possible to appoint fresh assessors just now. Mr. Laracy contended that tho employers had treated the employees very unfairly. They had withdrawn their assessors beforo half the business was done. Mr. Pryor stated that tho Act provided tho filling of any vacancy on the council. Moreover, the council could proceed, notwithstanding that there were assessors absent. Mr. Nivens was willing to remain to watch tho proceedings for the employers. Commissioner Hally suggested that, as the case was of 1 very great importance, an adjournment should be made for a week. Mr. Pryor protested strongly against' an .adjournment. It would bo very inconvenient for the employers' assessors to return 'to Masterton. There was absolutely 110 reason why tile caso should not proceed. As there appeared to be no prospect of an agreement as to appointing fresh assessors, or adjourning, a telephone message was sent to Messrs. Campbell and Wheeler, who had, by this time, arrived at the railway station, and both gentlemen returned. The employers asked for a provision that "in every caso where one of the' shearers acts as an expert, 110 ■ shall, in addition to his earnings as shearer, be paid by the employer or his agent, at the rate of 2s. Gd. per 100 for all sheep shorn in tho slied during the] currency of his dual position." The employers objected to this provision, as they did also to proposals that: "Where an expert is employed, no shearer shall do his own grinding," and "tho employer or his agent shall provide sufficient buckets awl a boiler for washing purposes for tho shearers." Mr. Pryor pointed out that nnder, the Shearers' Accommodation Act it was incumbent upon owners to provide sufficient accommodation for the shearers. The proposal regarding buckets and boiler was bringing tho Arbitration Act into ridicule. It was agreed by the employers that "a tally-board, with daily tallies, shall be placed on tho board." The employees desired that "in all sheds where machines are installed . .. . machines shall not be placed at less than sft. Gin. apart." It was urged that shearing sheds should bo under tho provisions of the Factories Act, but tlie ' Inspector of Factories (who was present) stated that sheds were not registered under the Aet. Commissioner Hally expressed surprise at this information. The employers objected to tho provision being inserted in tho award. .

It was agreed that before commencing work the should draw lots for tho pens, and abide by the result of such drawing, the person in charge of the shed to make any alteration desirable. A provision was also agreeci to that representatives of the association be permitted to visit shearers for the purposo of enrolling members, on condition that he does not interfere with tho shearers during working hours. Tho employees asked that, in the event of a shearer leaving or being discharged before the completion of shearing, the employer shall have the shearer's horse brought- to the shed, or shall provide him with a horse to get his own horse in. Mr. Laracy (for the shearers') stated that a provision of this sort was common law in parts of Australia. The employers, however, strongly objected to the pro-

vision. A proposal that employers should accept a union member's ticket in lieu of a money deposit at the time of engagement was rejected by tho employers' assessors on the ground that, it traversed the question of preference to unionists. ' _ , The employers objected to a provision that fares shall bo paid to all shearers

from office of engagement to station. A request that a medicine chest and appliances be kept on every station, and first aid advice be printed with all agreements, was held over. Some discussion took place upon the proposals of the employees to impose conditions for the emplovmeiit of shed hands, pressors and cooks. Mr. Campbell (AVanganuil objected to shed hands beins. included in the

award for shearers. On many stations Uio shell hands were ordinary l'ann > hands, and LJits Arbitration Court hail $ already decided that it could not bring B farm Hands under an award. B Commissioner ilalley stated that the t; claim of the union would cuinu before g the Arbitration Court, and tlio court jjj would determine whetuer the question |i of shed bunds should be referred to H Hie Conciliation Council or to a con- M ference. K Mr. J'ryor stated that the employers g intended contesting the rights of shear- S ers to bring shed hands under tho I award. | Mr. Laracy (representing the sheai- | crs) asked if it was necessary for tho K shearers to cite employers in regard to 8 shed hands. The shed hands, as well | as shearers, wero members of the Is Shearers' I'nioir. | Commissioner Hallv stated that if K the employers intended contesting the s shed hand position oil the ground that 8 it was outside tho order of reference, ja it would necessitate the. employees B filing a fresh dispute.' | Mr. Laracy contended that the em- | ployers were getting a "point" on to K the men. There was no doubt that k when the question of shed hands enme | before the Arbitration Court, the em- jj plovers would demand that it bo thrown * out. The Commissioner urged the employres to file a fresh dispute in regard to - shed hands. Mr. Lara-y stated thai: it enme to this, that there were about MOO honourable men in the ranks of the Shearers' Union, and they would not bo prepared to' accept an award unless tlm slied liands were inclnded. Tho Commissioner said the recommendations agreed upon by the Council, for submission to the Arbitration Court, would be prepared by him. and sent to the various assessors for signature. Tho Council then adjourned.