THE SHEARERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 293, 3 May 1913, Page 5

THE SHEARERS' UNION.

A . POSSIBLE STRIKE. Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night, Mr. Laracy, secretary of the Shearers' Union, made an important statement tonight, referring to the agreement with the owners, which expires on September 24. The Union recently prepared a set of conditions to be made demands in the new award, and it was hoped to secure a conference with the sheep-own-ers and have these adopted without going to court. The owners have signified their willingness to meet the shearers in conference, but this cannot be arranged as soon as the shearers desired, May 7. Mr. Laracy says that he fears that if this conference proves abortive there will not be time to secure a new award through the court before the shearing season opens, which will mean that the men will have to work a fourth season under the present agreement, or refuse to work at all. The New Zealand union has informed the Australian Workers' Union of the demands made for the new award, the chief of which is the payment of 22s 6d per 100 for blade shearers, and '2os for machine, and today a cable was despatched to the Australian body as follows: "Assist us and Australian shearers stay away if not prepared to stand firm with the above terms. (Signed) J. Cooper, president; M. Laracy, secretary." The position now is that if no settlement is reached, neither New Zealand nor Australian shearers will accept • engagements to | shear for New Zealand owners.