SHEARERS' DEMANDS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 923, 16 September 1910, Page 4

SHEARERS' DEMANDS.

AN ULTIMATUM; ISSUED,BY UNION SECRETARY. ' (By Telegraph.—Presß Association.) Christchurch, September .15. Mr. Waddell, secretary of' the Canterbury Shearers' Union, yesterday said he '~ was prepared to make what ho called "a ■ sporting offer" to ehc-epowners. From a • • conversation a "Star" reporter had with' - JUr. Waddell this moiniufc, it. appears that tho. sporting offer was' really an ultimatum. Mr. Waddell said tho'shear,- ; ers were ready to go to work at a pound a hundred., This offer .would .remain ' opentill Friday night, and if employers would not accept the offer the-shearers would go straight out for 225. Gd. per 100 The men, said Mr. "Waddell, had displayed the utmost patience, and made nil possible efforts to bring about; a peaceful settlement, but ' ■ had boen / humbugged ': from the jump. : Labour was short in Australia,, and Australian shearers would not come to New Zealand, so that tha owners would have to rely on the local men. He had done the best to smooth out ■' " the difficulties, but believed. the owners •; wanted to .force a fight.'. The .men hud to make preparations ■ accordingly. .' His .- v offer to accept the North Island award : would remain open till to-morrow night. If hostilities commenced, after that, tho fault would-be with tho' owners. ; .; 7