N.Z. SHEEPOWNERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2858, 24 August 1916, Page 8

N.Z. SHEEPOWNERS

FEDERATION MEETS. • J • THo. annual meeting of the New ZeaClarid Slieepowuers and Farmers' Fed{elation, was held' yesterday. There ;> - ere' present: Messrs. H. I). Aclan-l .'(president), ~L. C. Gnrdincr, John MUeans, !G. D. Greenwood (Canterbury), ;Jl- B'. Chartrcs (Otago and Southland), tljt. ;D..V\ r avasour (Marlborough), Sir ; James Wilson,-Messrs. A. D. M'Leod, T; E_. Moss, "\V. J. Birch, Ewan Camp-t-bolli" Hugli~ Morrison (representing , "Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Poverty Bay unions), IS. O.Jack (Dominion secretary of the Farmers' Union), and F. ifl. Labatt (secretary). ...The president, in moving the adoption'of the report and balance-sheet, referred to the- chief matters of interest to members dealt with during tho 'year. In regard to labour questions,, as a:result of:the conference held between tlie sheepowners aud the Shearers! i n J u 'y> the increases, in .rates- then agreed to had been made into an award for the Marlborough district, and the Arbitration Court had extended this award to other districts. A new award .had been made in Canterbury for musterer* and packers, an increase being made in day and weekly wages. In reference to shearing rates, Mr. Acland stated that the existing shearing agreements operative in tho various districts would not expiro till next March. ■■ The delegates - would, no donbt,' take .into consideration tho question of' recommending an increase over the rates in the agreements which wcro legally binding on both.'- sheepowners and shearers' ,imions. ■ Reference was made in tho annual report to the several cases of sheep-stealjng re-ported-in the South Island, andxsheepbjvners' unions were.recommended to report suspicious cases to the federation, so that active steps might bo taken to check this evil. The chairman said the question of. prices of meat commandeered by tho Government and the disposal by tho authority appointed by the Imperial Government would j>e~ discussed, and he suggested that tlie delegates should avail tbem- ' selves of.the opportunity courteously extended to them by the Prime Minister and wait on him duringthe day. ■ -rThe motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was seconded by Mr. Ewan Campbell and carried: 'After transacting preliminary business tho conference waited upon the Prime Minister to make representations regarding tho disposal of New ' Zealand's surplus meat on tho English ' market.' The proceedings of the deputation are reported elsewhere.,. ■The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. H'. D. Acland (re-elected); vice-presi-dent, Sir J. ,G. Wilsou (re-elected); hon. treasurer, Mr. John Deans (re; elected), and a council consisting t)f eighteen members. Mr. • Thornhill Cooper was re-elected auditor. •«In reference to shearing rates the following 'resolution was passed :— "That, in view of the altered conditions brought about by tho war, it bo a.recommendation to.members of affilv ated sheepowners' unions to pay an .additional 2s. 6d. per 100 on 'the existing shearing agreement rates, such increase being in the nature of a wai bonus." -,_ •' The usual levy on members of affiliated unions was agreed to. , ; On tho motion of Mr. G.'D. Green-

wood a hearty ""vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Acland for Ms services as president during the past year. "