Oamaru, January 12th, 1911.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 February 1911, Page 16

Oamaru, January 12th, 1911.

Dear Editor. —I started out organising on 24th September, find spent a few days between Oamaru and Ngapara, and round Duntroon, with fair success ; supplied all old members that I met with tickets, and enrolled a number of new members. I met only an exceptional "blackleg" throtigh this district. Then I visited Tokorahi, which was the first fair-sized shed I had fallen in with. Here I found a good rep., and W. Gardner, Esq., owner was a "white" employer; there was good accommodation all round ; all shearers financial, and all good, solid men. Enrolled only a few shed hands. Next visited Morachu, enrolled almost all hands, shed hands included. This is the first place I fell in with Maoris, and I found them a credit to their country, and a good example to their pakeha brethren— solid and staunch to a man. Next Bushy Park,, Shag Point; enrolled the only Maori and one white; the balance of the shed rank "scabs." From there took my course through Dunback, missing no sheds, either small or big, on my way. Boker's reps, had tickets, and expected to enrol all hands. At Shag Valley found all matters running smoothly, the best of good feeling existing between employer and all hands; accommodation firstclass ; all shearers financial. Next visited a few small settlers with success. Then Puketoi, where I met with the first lot of Australian shearers ; splendid fellows; all took membership tickets and levy tickets ; enrolled all hands, and practically all shed hands. Here I heard nothing but good Avoids expressed. It would be hard to express high enough praise of the employers, who had been treated very badly by men not turning up after engaging. "We may easily know the offenders weren't Union men. There was only one shearer at work here for some days, with a full staff of shed hands watching him ! The only way to get over these troubles will be to get preference to Unionists, and have the Union protect the employer. Ida Valley had just cut out, and then I went on to Hawkin—a fine, solid crowd ; all hands took tickets. At Bulesdowns supplied Unionists with tickets, and at a few other small places round here I met with fair success, meeting a lone-hand scab occasionally. Matakanui, Mautrie, Galloway,' Earnesbugh, Tarras, Morven Hills all financial; Lake Wanaka shorthanded ; all hands at work financial; left book with rep. to supply others when filled up. Mount Pisa, a good, solid crowd ; good rep. ; understood his business. A number of small places which I did not get at I wrote, and saw that books were supplied.

Then, starting from Christchurch, Kowara ; all hands financial. Glenco : The proprietor of this station is one of the "whitest" and best of employers in Otago. He has paid £1 per 100 for shearing for some time past, but he had the misfortune to strike a batch of solid "scabs," five in number. (The shed holds six; one short at the time oi my visit.) I would like to see the names of these five "blacklegs" published. Coronet Pike,, Howard Falls, Mount Nicholas, all financial; Cecil Peke, Green Vale, Cunard, Glencoe, all financial ; Five Kivers., Nokomi,

all financial; East Doon shearers financial. The employer here has left himself open to serious trouble. Mount Lynton partly financial; the rep. had a hope of securing balance before cutting out. Met with bad weather through this district, and had hard matter to pick up moneys. Left book of tickets at Red Cliffs. Black Mount cut out. Visited Mercy Vale two or three times; enrolled most of the shearers and a' few shed hands, and left tickets with rep. for a couple of absentees. Rimbrook, Maori Hill, financial. W. JOHNSTONE, Organiser.

Dear Editor, —Since my last report to you from Kimbolton (Nov. 26), I have to report success right through mv tours. which I finished on December 24, I have worked up through the inland Patea, and met with good results. lam pleased to say since I received the levy tickets I have done good work with them. The rank and file of the Association are very anxious to see " The Maoriland Worker " go ahead; and I have no hesitation in saying that in the near future it avj'll have the largest circulation in the dominion. The members are looking forward to a weekly issue as soon as possible. The report of the Extraordinary Conference held in Christchurch on November 12 has been endorsed by members right throughout. I have had complaints from shearers as to the accommodation in some places, where they say that there has been nothing done towards making any improvement. At one shed I visited, a native team of shearers refused to renew on accouin: of the Organiser last year promising to have the case reported to the proper quarter. There are cases which require immediate attention. I have reported several to the executive of the Association, who 1 trust will see that they get attention. We were ridiculed in some of our demands when we asked for a medicine chest and bathroom for the shearers, but I have seen places during my tour where they are found for the men. At Erewhon Station I found a medicine chest, a library, and a sitting room, and separate accommodation for the native women when engaged there in shearing time. I passed the remark to the manager that we had asked for these concessions in our demands, but were not successful in getting them. He thought it was nothing more than ought to be supplied in all cases. I am enclosing a list of sheds for publication, showing the number of sheep, date of starting, hand or machine, and hope this will be useful to both employees and employer. I trvist as complete a list as possible will be published as a standing issue. Wishing you every success with our much-needed paper.—Yours, etc., J. W. COOPER. Temuka, January 9.