THE MEN'S STATEMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3098, 31 May 1917, Page 8

THE MEN'S STATEMENT

"The position is that the representatives of tho sheopowners of Now Zealand have absolutely refused to make any attempt lo reach an agreement," said j\lr. .1. GrayndJer, secretary of tho New Zealand Shearers' Association (incorporated in Iho A.P.U.) to a Dominion representative after tho closo of tho meeting with l.ho employers yesterday, '"rim only conclusion, wo can como to is thai, they arc not out for peace. They do uol wish lo extend fair ploy to tho' worker* who aro engaged, in this very profitable industry. "Tho resolution handed lo the representatives of tho shearers by the sheepowners today state) in effect that the delegates of the Shearers' Association, aro not qualified to speak for tho organised workers in their industry. That contention is absurd on the fuce of il. Tho Shearers' Association was formed lir (ho different Shearers' and Shed Hand*' Unions throughout Now Zealand. The executive of the association is elect: o<l by (lie members of the unions, so that'(he constitution is as democratic as it could l>e made. Tho executive n.ppoinled delegates to meet tho eraployors at this conference. But tho sheepowners refused to accept the credentials of tho delegates. They pplifc straws by saying that they -would lx> prepared to meet individuals elected by tho separate unions. "The Shcep-ownors' Federation had agreod to meet tho delegates of the. association. Tho conference had boen arranged in preliminary conforonco, and tho delegates had travelled to Wellington in order to confer with tho employers. But after tho snoop-owners reached ■Wellington and got into touch iritli tho 'professionals' here, tlicy decided not to meet us. The reason alleged for their decision is groundless, since the credentials of our delegates were indisputable. Tho shecnowners had already rnessnised the association in their correspondence. "No doubt the shecpowners will expect lo receive what nssistanco tho present Tory Government can give them in sin attempt to batter the shearers inlo submission. The attitude of the.-association will be a matter for consideration in the light of tho new development." %