SHEARERS' SECTION

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 82, 4 October 1912, Page 7

SHEARERS' SECTION

SECRETARY'S NOTE-BOOK.

By M. LARACY.

On Sunday, the 22nd ult., a meeting was held in the office, Queen's Chambere, when a strong district committee was formed. President, J. Mcc; secretary, T. Carfcwright. All those present were elected as a committee, with power to add. A vote of condolence was passed to the wife and family of the late Fred. Reyling, secretary of the Wellington Trades and Labor Council. Fred, waa always found battling in Labor's couse, and though we may not have agreed at all times, we agreed to differ, and I can safely say he had the respect of all who knew him. * * * News is just to hand of the death of Mr. McLennan, father of Wm. McLennan, president of the llarlborough Shearers' Union. • • • Started: Terawhiti aud Tekamru, with full board. • » » Shed reps, are again reminded to report start of shed to secretary, Queen's Chambers, Wellington. All business transacted through the Wellington office. T.U. shears, combe and cutters on hand. Left-handed shears stocked. * * » The many friends of William Rhind, of Christchurch, will regret to hear of his death, which took place on September 24, at hi 3 residence, Aberley road, St. Albans, aged 62. Rhind was one of those who was always to the front in the fight for better conditions for the working-class. At Terawhiti he will be missed this season, as he has been on that shearing floor for 21 consecutive seasons. Surely a hard record to beat. He leaves behind him a wife and one child, and to assist them a list is in the Shearers' Union office, where tihose willing to subscribe should send along their mite.

Shearera are particularly warned against making engagements this seaBon under the "oatch term" of award rates, and to refrain from becoming workers within the meaning of the Act at lees than £1 per hundred all round.

the contract company is offering £1 per 100 for shearing and 30a. per. week for shed hands as against 19s. 6d. per 100 for shearing and 275. 6d. per week for shed hands, as in award of Arbitration Court..

It must be borne in mind that tho employers fought tho Shearers and Woolsheti Employees' Association m both hearings of the Court, to obtain an award containing tlie lowest rates possible— we find the contractor standing as the middle-man between the employers and employees in a position to offer a financial inducement to the workers.

On the surface, this looks to the average individual an improvement en award rates, but I would advise shearers and shed hands to stop and think before in any way identifying themselves with any engagements under the contract system, which must eventually prove detrimental to tho interests of the workers of the shearing industry here.

Let mc say that this L system has been in existence in Australia for some considerable time, and has been condemned by a plebiscite ballot of the members of the A.W.U. by an overwhelming majority, the experience of those men Laving taught them the danger of this practice. I think that all who take time to consider this question can only arrive at one conclusion —that is, we do not require the middle-man, who has to have his profits, and though for .the time being those profits are being paid by the employer over the present recognised Tates, it is clear there is an object <n view, as the contract system in all cases tends to cheapen.

The position is that our Association has to face this question, and I wish to iemind members that a resolution was passed at last conference to try and abolish it, and that is a strong reason why members should refrain from the practice of engaging labor in connection with shearing companies. What we should guard against is the principle which underlies the whole thing. It is not introduced to benefit t%© workers, and the only way to combat it is to turn it down and hare nothing to do with it. In conclusion, I want to say that my reference to the Arbitration Court doos not mean that I am satisfied with award rates. Not at all. I hope to see better rates than at present, but we must obtain them direct from the employers and not through the medium rf any intermediate or middle-man or company.—Yours, etc..

ALEX. MoLEOD