AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 236, 10 February 1894, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLES.

» THE SHEARERS' DIFFICULTY. | Per Press Association.) Sydney, February 9. The Shearers' Conference contend that the pastoralists committed a breach of agreement through the system adopted m engaging shearers. It is stated that the Shearers' Union fund amounts to over £11,000 This Day. The pastoralists state there has been no alterations in the system of engaging shearers since last Conference, which affirms freedom of contract. No information has been officially received regarding the action of the Shearers' Conference, therefore nothing can be done by the pastoralists pending furtlier developments. In the course of an interview, the President of the Shearers' Conference asserted the shearers were required to pay a deposit of £1, and submit references from previous employers as a condition for securing engagement. He accused employers of sending down confidential reports, which, he believed, was an attempt to place on the black list men who take a prominent part in protecting the interest of their fellows. What the Conference wanted was direct engagement between shearers and sheep owners. No objection, he said, was raised to working with non-union men. The Conference decided to amalgamate the Shearer's Uuion with the general Labour Union. It also expected all the bush unions in Queensland will be amalgamated. A general union of all the bush organisations throughout the colonies takes place shortly. Melbourne, February 9. Judgment has been entered for Mr Speight for £100 and costs in accordance with the ycrdict of the jury in the libel action against the Age, but the money is to remain in Court until the other issues on whioh the jury disagreed are decided. A warrant has beea issued for the arrest of Kemp, late secretary to the Treasury Tender Board, on a charge of embexzle. ment. The amount involved is bell ived to bo about £1000.