THE SHEAREKS' DISPUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2810, 22 January 1908, Page 23

THE SHEAREKS' DISPUTE.

BEFORE THE CONCILIATION BOARD. NAPIER, January I*. The Conciliation Board held its first sitting in connection with the shearers' dispute at Masterton on Monday. Representatives of both the Farmers' Union and the Shearers' Union were present, but no evidence was volunteered on behalf of the former, and, the Chairman of the board said they -would not hear evidence from the other side unless evidence was also given on. behalf of the farmers. He suggested that the two bodies interested should hold a conference to see If an agreement could be come to, and if this were done the beard would embody, that agreement as its recommendation. In the meantime the proceedings of the board at Name* and Palmerston North would be held m camera, and the evidence would not be used if a settlement were arrived at by the representatives of the respective unions. The board then adjonrned. NAPIER, January 15, The Conciliation Board held a brief sitting here to-day in connection with the shearers' dispute. In view of the conference^ between the employers and employees to be held at Palmerston North, the sitting was adjourned. If the conference fails, the board will arrange a fresh itinerary. PALMERSTON N., January 16. A meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held to-day. when it was announced that a sub-com-mittee in connection with the shearers' dispute would meet in a fortnight's time to receive the reply from the various branches. It is anticipated that within a month a conference will be arranged with the shearers with a view to a settlement. January 17. The Conciliation Board sat here to-day in connection with the shearers' dispute and adjourned till the conference takes place between the parties to the dispute. Mt OTtegan said that he had met many flockowneTS who were anxious to meet "the men, and he thought there would be no difficulty in arriving at an amicable settlement. ' Captain Hewitt, on behalf of the , flockownera, informed the board -that they would render any assistance, possible, and do all in their power to make the conference a success. TROUBLE IN OAMARU DISTRICT. (Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, January 17. Some trouble occurred between the shearers and the manager at Omarama Station during shearing owing to the men declining to work on the Saturday afternoon following Christmas day. The award, provides that if 48 hours and 20

minutes have been put in before noon on j any Saturday work may stop then. The •■ men's representatives told the manager on i the Saturday that work would stop at noon, I though the stipulated time had not been { put in owing to a compulsory holiday ' having occurred during the week. The j manager lodged a complaint with the secretary to the Shearers' Union for a breach of award, and' work was resumed j on Monday morning. i At Benmore the shed bands struck for I higher pay, and according to the North Otago Times, got it, but at Aviemore, ! wihare the shed hands also struck, they j yere ordered off the place, while the ' shearers on the same station struck for 20s per 100 and goj; 18s 6d and a pair of shears.