UNSKILFUL SHEARING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1939, Page 9

UNSKILFUL SHEARING

1 DETERIORATION IN AUSTRALIA. Shearing has seriously deteriorated in Australia. This is the opinion of the executive committee of the Graziers’ Association of New South Wales, and it is an opinion generally shared by graziers. Numerous reasons are given. One is the growth in contract shearing, which takes the supervision out of the sheep-owners’ hands. It is nqt alleged that the contract system in itself is wrong. Representative graziers have in mind one co-operative company, which is shearing some 7,000,000 sheep in four states in the year, to the satisfaction of graziers.. Graziers suggest, however, that so many seem to be concerned mainly with getting the job through in the quickest possible time. It is also sugested that more and more shearers are sacrificing quality for quantity—they strive for the tall tallies and the higher pay. The shearing is one of the few remaining big jobs in, Australia done by piecework. Graziers are not suggesting' that the piecework system be abandoned. The two main constructive suggestions made so far are that stricter supervision be exercised, and that better provision be made to teach learners properly. A better shearing campaign will be part of the propaganda of the Graziers’ Association.