N.Z. SHEEPOWNERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 268, 1 August 1918, Page 8

N.Z. SHEEPOWNERS

FEDERATION'S ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the A'ew Zealand Sheepowncrs' and Farmers' Federation v.a- held at Wellington yesterday. There were present: Air. H. Li. Aclanil, piesiitent (in the chair), Atessrs. E. Campbell. Hugh Morrison, A. I). Al'l.eoil (Wellington), P. Pattulo lllawke's liav), W. P. Alilehell (Poverty jlay), .1. Deans (Canterbury), James Begg ami K. Actun.Adams (Otago and .SoiillilanJ), H. D. Vavasour (.Uarlborough), and T. 31. l.abatt, secretary. The pre-ideiit, iu moving (he adaption of Ihe report and balance-sheet, stated Ilia; the Canterbury Wool-ely-sei*' Union had submitted demands for an award lo the Canterbury ■Slieepnwners' Union. It was decided the demand should be referred lo I lie loci body. The motion was seconded by Mr, .11. D. Vavn.-.tnir end duly carried. The following officers were elected: President, Air. 11. I). AcNind; vice-president, Air. A. J). Al'Leod; lion, treasurer. Air. J. Deans, all of whom were re-elected. Alt'. U. Aclon-Ailams submitted correspondence with I lie Commissioner of Taxes in reference lo the ri-vision of book values of stock on freehold properly, and also regarding the (|UC;tion of readjustment of assessments in connection with clearing sales of stock. It was decided to forward a copy of he enrresputideuee to the executives of (he various slieepowners' unions. It was decided t.i contribute X2O towards Ihe Workers' Educational Association iu Wellington, Auckland, Christchurcli, and Uunedin. it was resolved Iknl. a levy be made on affiliated unions uf 2-. fid. per thousand sheep owned by members of such unions. At ihe ('(inclusion of the meeting a deputation, consisting of .Messrs. 11,, I). Aclanil, president (Canterbury), A J). Al'Leod (Wellington), and .lames Bcgg (Otago), wailed on Ine .Minister of Agriculture iu regard to the following, matters :— Wool Conferences: "That in all conferences convened by the Covcrniiicnt in connection wilii the i-niiiiuundcer of wool, u.eat. etc., the various •hcopownors' unions which are all registered Imdies under ihe Arbitration Act, should be represonteil." Government Commandeer cf Wind: "That the Xew Zealand Rheepowuors' Federation views with approval the slops which are taken by the -Nulinnal Xlovernitit'iit ill regard to Ihe sale of wool to the Imperial (lovernmenl." Shortage of Shipping: "That Ihe flovernnient be requested to confer with the freezing companies and slieepowners with a view to devising a scheme for increasing the storage capacity of the Dominion, ami that a deputation wait upon (he Minister with reteretice to the mailer." 'Hie Minister (the Don. W. 1). S. AlarDonald) informed the deputation thatthe nmtto.-s submitted ivould liave consideration, lie stated the question of providing increased storage ;.l freezing works to meet 'the position created by Ihe shortage of shipping was n verv important one to producers, and to the many interests affected, and thai the (lovernnienl: would give full consideration In the resolution passed by the Sheepowncis' Federation and to (lie suggest inns made by the deputation. The Annual Report. The annual report of the association staled 'that in Alay, 1917. u special meeting of Ine federation was held to consider the increased demands made for shearers and shed hat.*'., and also to consider the question of a conference with representatives appointed by the A.P..U. to discuss terms and conditions of employment. The federation, after giving full consideration to the mailer, decided that they could not hold a conference with the shearers nepresenialives as they considered the delegates flj pointed were not genuinely reproM-u-Uilive of the shearers' unions of Ihe Dominion. Subsequently the dispute enmo before Ihe Conciliation Council. The matter was again discussed at a special meeting of Ihe federation, held in Wellington on August 22, 1017, when if was decided to bring the matter before the Conciliation Council at Wellington on August 2,3, 1!)17. At this Conciliation Council meeting, over which Air. W. 11. Dagger presided, an agreement was' arrived at embodying the existing conditions, but providing for an increase in (.hearing rales t: 225. fid. per 100, with as war bonus, and also an increuse in the shed hands' rates. A recommendation'was mado by both parties that the Court should make the agreement into a Dominion award. Subsequently, on the n-.r-t-ancrl of the isheareiu' unions, all slieepowners not members of the Slieepowners' UnioiiH, were joined by the Court as parties to the. award in Canterbury and Otago, the total numbering between nine and ten thousand. A new award has been made for shearers and shed hands lo operate from September 1, 1917, to February 2S, 1919. Wool and Frozen Meat. The conditions and prices for the 1917IS wool clip and for frozen meat, both of which were requisitioned by the (Jovei'iimeut on behalf of the Imperial authorities, are practically the same 'as those of the previous year. Conferences between the Prime .Minister and representatives of interested parties were held in Wellington on Alarch 5 and April 1), 1918, iu regard to slipe wool, sheepskins, and hides. Subsequently regulations governing the price of slipe wool were gazetted on May 17, 191 S. On June 2H, 1918, a committee representing the woolgrowers of 'the Dpniinion met the .Minister iu ciiorgo of Imperial Supplies (the, Hon. D. 11. Guthrie) at Wellington, to consider tho olTer made by tho Imperial Government, to purchase the wool clip for Ui9 period of tho war and one year alter. Prom a recent statement mado by tho Minister it would appear that no further conference on the wool purchase question will be necessary and that the transaction may now be regarded as being closed.