SHEARERS' DEMANDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 3 May 1913, Page 5

SHEARERS' DEMANDS.

STATEMENT BY UNION' SECRETARY. <By TeUgrav** —Pre?' Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. Mr Laracy, secretary of the Shearers' Union, made an important statement to-night. Referring to the agreement with, the owners which expires on September 24tli, lie sa'id 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 sheepowners, and have these adbpted without goim to Court. The owners have signified their willingness to meet the shearers in conference, but this cannot be arranged a,s soon as the shea rem desired., namely May 7t.lt. Mr Laracy «ays be fears 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 meai 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 a new awa rd. the chief of which is the payment of 22s 6d per 100 foT' blade shearers and 20s for machine shearers, and to-dav a cable was despatched to the Australian body a« foil lows: "Awsist us, and Australian shearers stay away, if not prepared to stand firm with above terms. —(Signed) J. Coopers, President; M. Laracy, secretary." The positiop now is tliat if no settlement is reached, neither New Zealand nor Australian shearers will accept engagements to shear for New Zealand ownera.