THE SHEARER'S DISPUTE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10050, 26 July 1910, Page 3

THE SHEARER'S DISPUTE.

POSITION OF THE EMPLOYERS

The following is a copy of a letter forwarded to the Minister oi Labour by Mr Pryor, secretary of the New Zealand Employers' Federation : (Copy.) Wellington, July 23z\l, 1910. Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Labour, Wellington. Sir,—l shall be very much surprised to learn that Mr Trigg?, Conciliation Commissioner, Christchurcb, has suggested any such arrangement as set forth in the telegram from the secretary of the Shearers' Union to Mr T. E. Taylor and yourself a3 published in this morning's papers. The proposal made would not give the three commissioner power to settle the matter; all they could do would be to submit to -the Arbitration Court a joint report on shearing rates now paid throughout the Dominion. The rates paid are perfectly well known to both parties, and could be placed before the Arbitratrjn Court by their witnesses in ten minutes on Tuesday. Besides, there is no undertaking on the part of the Shearer's Union that it would abide by the Arbitration Court award even if the suggestion were adopted. It is therefore a case of "as were," as the proposal means nothing. When the Shearers' Union executive is prepared to give a written undertaking that it will give its representatives a free hand to discuss rates of pay, that it will loyally abide by any decisions arrived at, and that it will not take any steps during the currency of the award to prevent workers making engagements to work at the prices fixed, the New Zealand Sheepowners' Federation will favourably consider any proposals made for a Dominion award. Until the Shearers'" Union executive gives evidence of its honourable intentions in connection with the matter, no notice can be taken of any so-called propoaals for settlement. (Signed), WILLIAM PRYOR, Secretary.