SHEARERS' CONFERENCE.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 58, 19 April 1912, Page 2

SHEARERS' CONFERENCE.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Shearers' Association was held in tho Town Hall, Wellington. Tho delegates present wore-.—Canterbury, Messrs. F. Warde.ll, A. M. Hall, and C. R. Johnston; Otago, Messrs. W. Johnstone and James Stewart; Marlborough, Mr. William M'Lennan; Wellington, Messrs. A. M'Lcod, J. Cooper, and John Mcc; Gisborno, Mr. James Morgan. Mr. A. J. King is president, and Mr. M. Laracy is secretary of the conference. ,It was decided that the Head Office bo transferred to Wellington not later than September 1. It was further decided that a ballot of members of tho union be taken during next shearing season as to whether the union should cancel its registration under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Later on a deputation representing the Shearers' Union and consisting of Messrs. King, Laracy, McLood, McLennan, and Hall waited upon tho Minister of Labour (Hon. George Laurenson) in regard to the necessity of having several offices of their union scattered throughout the Dominion instead of ono central office. Tho speakers pointed out that u-s there was one award applicable to the whole of New Zealand, they thought it would be sufficient to havo one registered office of the union, instead of having to maintain a separate office in 'each industrial district as the present state of the law compels them to do. The deputation also expressed a desire to have tlio Act in connection with shearers' accommodation made moro effective Various other matters in connection with the trade were discussed. The Minister in reply said ho would give their suggestions careful consideration, and afterwards probably lay them beforo Cabinet.