The Shearers' Dispute.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9047, 5 February 1908, Page 5

The Shearers' Dispute.

CONFERENCE OF SHEEPOWNERS AND SHEARERS.

PALMERSTON N., February 4. The shearers and sheepowners' conference was held in the Oddfellows' Hall this morning and afternoon. The sitting altogether lasted about three ajd a half hours. It is understood that the decisions were of a give-and-take nature, some of the points resulting in long discussions. It was decided that no information whatever , should be given to the press until the agreement come to had been consiJered by the Shearers' Union Executive at Hunterville, on Saturday next, and the members of the Farmers' Union Provincial Executive, who were absent. ,lt is stated that the preference clause, and the, .clause limiting learners were struck out, while it was agreed that machine shearing should be 17s 6d and hand-shearii g 20s per 100; the agreement to hold good for two years. \ The "Manawatu Times," referring editorially to the matter, states that there is good reason to hope that a genuine settlement has been arrived at. The delegates present represented of both executives sufficient to ensure the; endorsement of the decisions they came to. All the shearers' delegates, except Messrs Garrick and Baker, will be present at Hunterville, and they would constitute a majority there, while all that will remain to be done on the sheepowners' side will be to communicate with absent members of the executive what was done at this jmeeting, and ask their acquiescence, a majority being already assured.