THE SHEARERS’ DISPUTE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9095, 14 March 1908, Page 5

THE SHEARERS’ DISPUTE.

Press' Association, 'Wellington, March 18. The Conciliation Board met to-day to Board’s draft agreement in the shearers’ dispute. The agreement, which was the outcome of the recent conference at Palmerston, was adopted with slight alteration. The employers were represented by Mr J. O. Cooper (of the Farmers’ Union) aud the shearers by Mr Abbott (secretary of the Shearers’ Union). The Chairman of the Board, Mr J. P. O’Regau, congratulated tho parties on the result of the conference, and said it was quite clear that where there was a mutual desire for an agreement a settlement was possible of attainment. It was only fair to make public the fact that after tho conference sat at Palmerston North the good offices of the Labour members of the Board had been used to induce tho members of the Shearers Union to accept the agreement arrived at. 'Speaking on behalf of the employers Mr Cooper said the recent conference was an exceedingly amicable one, and tor his part he did not wish to meet bettor men than tho shearers’ representatives. He wished to thank the members of the Board for tho services they had rendered.

Mr Abbott said the result of the conference was a triumph for the principle of meeting in conference to settle disputes. The Board’s recommendations which will bo given the same effect .as an award, will probably be filed to-morrow.