SHEARERS' UNION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9657, 23 November 1909, Page 7

SHEARERS' UNION.

From a'Correspondent. A largely attended meeting of shearers and shed hands was he IJ i< rider the auspice? ot the New Zealand Federated Shearers' Union, al Takapau, on Saturday evening. Mr E. Hawkins, of Takapau, occupied the ch»ir. Mr E. VV. Abbott, branch secretary for the North Island, was present by invitation, Mr H. Hawkins,- organis2r for Hawke's Bay, also beirg present. Mr Abbott spoke for j,n Hour and a half, and fully explained the aims and objects of the Federation, Mr Hawkins interpreting to the Maoris present. During his address the speaker was frequently applauded, and on resuming his seat was loudly cheered, especially by the natives, who are very keen and staunch Unionists. A number of questions were asked, relating to the interpretation of the Shearers' Award, and satisfactorily explained A very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Ablott for his able and-instructive address waa carried by acclamation. A vote of t!:anks to the chair concluded one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings of workers held

in Takapau. As the reiult of this meeting, a large number of shearers and shed hands were enrolled in the ranks of the Union, and which gives promise of being one of the strongest organisations in the Dominion., A number uf complaints were made re the accommodation Jprovided at some of the stations in the district, and the secretary was instructed to forward the complaints- to the Labour Department.