THE SHEEPOWNERS AND THE SHEARERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1612, 26 July 1887, Page 3

THE SHEEPOWNERS AND THE SHEARERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l observe that the Amur! lordlings—or I ahonld say, would-be tyrants —are going to work a modern miracle by the importation of slaves. 1 am not surprised at Mr Low making himself conspicuous ; a more hard-hearted creature to fill the position of flagellator doesn’t exist. The other gentlemen I am really surprised at. However, the resolution re Kaffirs is so frivolous that the heat of the last summer’s sun may be accountable for it. But there hare been many such threats of late as the one now going the rounds ot the press. For instance, the sheds are to be fitted up with electric light to enable the steam shearing machine to get through with the work in the proper season. But how have those threats resulted I Surely we are in a position to know, as miny of the stations oh the Darling River, New South Wales, have commenced shearing operations, One station, in particular, is worthy of note, Dnblop’s—whore the shearers were kept out on strike for seven weeks last season before the manager would accede to their demand—was one of the first to commence this season and give the rate fixed by the Union. The last time that the shearers of New Zealand made an effort to form a Union, shearers were imported from Victoria by the squatters, enabling them to gain a victory; but,, now the plan is altered, as the Union is fixed on an intercolonial basis, taking in the shearers throughout the whole of the colonies. Can any person with common sense offer any objection to the shearers for combining, when the vary fact of the squatters’ combination to lower the rate for shearing, etc., forced them to it. It seems strange that the Amuri lordlings have been giving the rate fixed by the Union ; and, if I recollect aright, ia some instances a trifle more. The rate for shearing has been fixed according to the average of existing rates, but the majority of the members In South Canterbury and Otago don't wish to raise tbe price to that existing farther north. I may mention that those differential rates can exist without affecting the rules .of the Union. This proves that the shearers are more considerate than tbe wonldbe nigger-drivers. The shearers need not be afraid of Kaffirs, Chinamen, or any of the low tribes, provided they •tick together. However, as far as my ; xperience goes, tbe squatters as a body •re not to be identified by the frantic Ideas of a few of their numbers at Amuri. |— Apologising for trespassing on so much iOf your valuable space, I am, etc., I Secretary Shearers' Union. !■ m. i ■...rrrsrs’