THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 170, 20 July 1910, Page 5

THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

MINISTKR TO <Py Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELULNGTON, this day. The. shearers' .dispute was 'brought before the notice of the Minister for Labour in the House yesterday, by Mr T. E. Taylor, who urged that the Minis- , ter should invite the parties to' meet him -with a view to bringing about a ' settlement. The Hon. J. A. Millar, in replying, said the trouble that had arisen was greatly regrettable, but the Government had to 'be careful not to impair the efficiency of the Arbitration Act. If, however, both parties were to agree in asking him to confer with them he would be pleased to do his best. He was sure that if the parties were to meet anyone prepared to talk common sense to them they could effect a eettlement. _ - - , .(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHKISTCHURCH, Tuesday. To-night Mr Laracy (General Secretary of the Shearers' Union), received the following telegram from Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P.:—"Minister of Labour, in answer to question put .by mc as a matter of /urgency* expressed willingness to j preside over an unfettered and friendly conference between the representatives of shearers and ehcep farmers to make an effort to arrive at an amicable settlement on the question of the rate for shearing for the Dominion, and deal with other points, the settlement of which is likely to avoid the deepening friction evident "by the Arbitration Court proceedings last week, and avert injury to important mutual interests: of parties concerned. The Minister will only act if invited to do so by shearers and sheep farmers' . In Teply,-Mr: Laracy sent., the following telegram to Mr Taylor:—"On behalf of the shearers I invite Mr Millar to preside at a conference in Wellington on Saturday, if the sheep owners agree." (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) >;. V "; CHEISTCHURCH, this day. The sheepowners here have not done anything yet in regard to meeting the shearers ;at >fc. Millar's conference. It isj somewhat difficult to have a consultation of sheepowners.in.this as they live far r -apart. As far as can be ascertained; the feelnig is'■"•that thei proposed conference. would be useless unless . the shearers' rpreseniatives go unfettered with α-egard-to the question of vrages, and it is that they are not in a position to do that. '