SHEARERS' RATES.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 September 1919, Page 6

SHEARERS' RATES.

_' AN AGREEMENT. ‘ AWARD_ . r A complete agreement was arrived at in the shearers’ dispute on ’l‘hursday, before the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. Newton). The new agreement is to form the basis of a Dominion award. In the ‘dispute in question the Hawke’s Bay Sheepowners’ Union cited the Wellington Shearers’ Industrial Union of Workers for a. new award, the assessors being as fo1low: For the applicants, Mess-rs Hugh ~M~o-rri—-son (Greytown), A. D. McLeod (Marrtinborough), and Henry Gascoyne (Mar-aeakaho, Hawkes’ Bay); fer the respondents, Messrs J. Townsend (Wanganui), R. Templeton (Wellington), and A. Cook (Christchurch). Other Dominion representatives’ present were: Messrs H. D. Akland, president of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federgat/ion; F. H. Labatt, secretary of the federation; IL. A. Rutherford, Canterbury; and Vavasour, Blenheim (for the sheepowners); and Messrs C. Grrayndler, Wellington (agent) ;.H. Henderson Martinborough; C. Bai'c_Twin, Otago; and Katene Pukurua, Gisborne. .When the Conciliation Council resumed yesterday the Commissioner expressedthe hope that a settlement of the dispute would be effected without reference to‘ the Arbitration Court. It would mean a betzte understanding between the parties than if the ruling of the Court were sought.

Mr. =G'rayn‘dl.'er explained that the oifer of the sheepowners had been discussed by the representatives -of the shearrs and shed-hands, but they considered it was insuflicient_ His side had considenably reduced its de~ mands, but he trusted -that the employers would appreciate the .real need for better Wages. Further proposals had been sumhitted to‘ the employers. The employers’ offer of £4a..\veek for Cafiks for men had been accepted.:There was no need, he said, to further ‘Stress the reasons for the acceptance of the demands. The employers had been fair in -pre-war days, and if they did not accept the present demands they did not understand the position of the workers to-day. ‘High prices were being realised for sheep and cattle (as per newspaper reports quoted), and he felt that the w2T§es asked would appeal to the employers.

Mr Gascoyne stated that tthe prices 1 ‘ quoted were for‘ show stock sold, He} personally had never received anything like the prices quoted during the many years he had sold the cattle. l Mr Grayndler then ‘outlined pricesl being obtained for wool. To receive’ 38 and élsiper pound for WOOI, and re- ‘ fuse to accede to the demands would; not tend to relieve discontent. The? shed ‘hands- were not demanding al wage that would crucify their employ. ers’ industry. The speaker quotedv the remarks of Sir J. G. Wilson at the Farmers’ Conference‘ on profit-shar—§ ing. From those remarks he (Mri Grrayndler) understood that farmers; were prepared -to meet their employees I in a better way, thougll‘l"n the industry under discussion profit—sll,al'ixlg coulldl not be carried out on account of the casual employment. TERMS ')F eXGrREEMEN'L After discussion, the following ratesl of pay were agreed to:—Rate of shearing ‘Sheep or lambs by l hand ormachine, £1 10s pol‘ 100, with ' rations. Where ‘ShO2.l‘Bl‘s have to find! their own rations, £1 14s per 100 is| to be paid. 1 Rates for shearing stud sheep to be S settled by agreement between em- g ployer and employee. The rate for shearing hoggct rams! to be rate and a—half, and for otZle:rams double ordinm-_\'_ rates. I The pay for pressei-s. etc. £3 105, p2“. week, or 25 per lrour and found, anal for shed h:;.=.nds the pay to be £3 55 per 1 week, or ls 10d per hour_ Those employees between the ages of si:;t_-‘en’ and eighteen, £2 10s per week, or 12;! {id per hour. A 1 (-Eeelgsr‘ assistants to be paid £3105! per week. Cooks for twelve men or; under, £4 per week. Cooks for over} twelve men to be paid at rates mutually‘ agreed upon between employeefi ,"5."11"'3.' employer. Members of an 'Clllploy¢lf'§-fnlhiliy ‘ml! ‘yearly hands who have been employei I on :1 station for three months prior to the commencement of shearing are to‘ be exempted from the new agreemnty A number of minor clauses in the] old agreement have been retained, and} a number of special clauses improved? in favour of the men. One particular demand agreed to is the provision of a medical chest at each shed by the employer concerned. V The angreement. is to be retrospective, as from Hptembcr Ist. -