SHEARING DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 221, 17 September 1919, Page 15

SHEARING DISPUTE.

WAGES OF SHED HAXT>S.

(Cv Trle?raph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Proceedings with a view to bringing about a settlement of the shearers' dispute opened to-day before the Conciliation Commissioner. The Hawke's Bay Sheepowners' Union aekci the Wellington Shearers* IndusTrial Union of Workers for a new awaTd. At the outset it was pointed out that a satisfactory settlement would form tile basds of a Dominion agreement, and would be ratified by the various industrial districts as the award. There was considerable argument as to whether the shearers' representatives ■n-ould make a proposal ac to the hourly rate to be paid to shed hands. Hγ. Grayndler said foe had discussed the question, and had come to the conclusion that the rate should be 2/1 per hour, but should not on the average be loner than th c minimum weekly rate throughout tho shearing season. He claimed the sheepowners co-old afford to pay douWe tfee pre-war rates. Mr. MeLeod said his side could not admit right away tile statement that *-l a week "svas a living wage. There •n-ere thousands in Xew Zeaiand living on Ices. Whereas in 1914 it cost £2 to shear 100 sheep, the ccet to-day was £4 10/.

llr. Cook said th e sheepowners had {rranted th e shearers a living wage, but objected to pay it to the other section. The average shearer shore 600 cheep a week, and on the agreed rates of pay he would tliia receive £ 9 a week, and* vet the employers objected to pay tie shedhands a living Tvage. • The conference adjourned till tomorrow, -when the sheepowners Tvill submit* tueir proposals.