Waimate Workers’ Union.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 198, 3 May 1902, Page 4

Waimate Workers’ Union.

A meeting of the executive of this Union was held in the Umpire Motel on Thursday evening, the lion. Major Steward also being present by invitation. The President of ■ the Union occupied the chair. The object of the meeting was to consider the position of rouseabouts, fleocepickers, etc., in shearing sheds, in view of the hearing of the shearers’ dispute before the Arbitration Court, which is shortly to be'decided in Christchurch. Mr S. Borchara, secretary of the, Waimate ■ Workers’, Union, explained the anomalies at present existing as'betweon shearers and their attendants, and stated that whilst a competent, shearer could earn from £G to £9 pec week, a couseabout (who had oftentimes to perform more arduous work and longer hours into the bargain) had to be contend with £1 13s.' His (Mr/Boreham’s), opinion was that the Cbnciliaton aud Arbitration Act required amendment, so that an award of the Arbitration Court should apply to all kindred industries and so prevent such a glaring disparity in the amount of wages paid. The Hon. Major Steward pointed out that before seeking an amendment of the Act it would bo as well to determine whether the law as it stood would not meet the case. He was under the impression that the existing law was quite competent to deal with a matter of this kind, and it wouid bo better to thoroughly test it before asking Parliament to sanction any amendment. After a desultory discussion it was resolved ihat the Workers 1 Union should endeavour to obtain recognition for rouseabouts in the award to be made in connection with the shearers’ dispute.

A vote of thanks to the Hon. Alajor Steward for his kindness in attending, and a similar compliment to the chairman terminated' the meeting.