SHEEPOWNERS UNION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 3

SHEEPOWNERS UNION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE,

The executive of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union met yesterday. Present: Messrs D. \V. Westonra (president), 11. D. Acland, E. Hay, K. M. Morten, W. W. MeEae, L. E.'c. Macfarlane, and G. Fulton. On account of shearing operations being in progress, apologies for absence •were received from Messrs X. D. Campbell, J. F. Macfarlane, E. E. Guinness, P. ActonAdams, E. B. Keill, G. O. Eutherford, D. G. Wright, G. Murray. A. J. Murray, and L. A. Eutherford.

_ Tlie Australian Woolgrowers' Council wrote with reference to the abolition of the draft allowance on wool, viz., 111b in each ewt, a deduction which is an old standing custom in the trade, and considered to be an imposition by the great body of woolgrowers. The letter stated that certain buyers were favourably disposed towards the abolition of the draftage, while others associated with the British Wool Federation were antagonistic to its removal. The Australian Woolgrowers' Council had agreed to endeavour to secure the removal of the draft by friendly negotiations in conference.

After full discussion, it was agreed' to support the Australian Woolgrowers' Council, and to go fully into the matter in conjunction with" them, upon the arrival of Mr It. 11. Caird, chairman of the Colonial Wool Merchants' Association, who is expected to arrive from Great Britain in March next.

The following resolution, moved by Mr Westonra. and seconded by Mr Fulton, was carried unanimously: "That the New Zealand Sheepowners' Federation, with the support of the Graziers' and Farmers' Associations throughout the Australian Commonwealth, insists on the abolition of the draft allowance on wool, and desires that this should be amicably arranged by the National Council of Wool-selling . Brokers through its London representative, and, if necessary, by a subsequent conference with the buyers in Australasia, and whole-heartedly supports the action of the Australian Woolgrowers' Council in its efforts to that end."

Letters were also received from the Graziers' Association, N.S.W., and from the Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, drawing attention to the necessity for combined action with a view to the abolition of the draft allowance. The letters were received and the secretary was instructed to reply to the effect that everything possible was being done in this connexion.

The secretary of the New South Wales Graziers' Association wrote asking for information regarding the terras of . the new shearers' award for New. Zealand, and pointing out that in Australia awards of the Federal Court were liable to .variation by the Court at any time,, should extraordinary circumstances arise detrimentally affecting either party. The secretary was instructed to send the necessary information and the opinion was expressed that the methods adopted by the Court in New Zealand were much more equitable than those obtaining in Australia, both for the worker and employer. On the motion of Mr E. Hay, seconded by Mr It. M. Morten, the sum-or £5 os was granted towards the publicity campaign of the Canterbury Progress League. The president pointed out that sheepowners generally had contributed liberally to, the. wool exliibit for'the Empire Exhibition by donations of fleeces, etc., and that.he had reason to believe that the exhibit would be one of which New Zea'.ancl sheepowners could well be proud. The thanks of the committee were recorded to those members who had given donations of wool for this purpose. On the motion of Mr It. M. Morten, seconded bv Mr G. Fulton, tTie sum of £lSlßs was voted • towards the funds oi the Christchurch Technical College, provided that the usual tuition in blade shearing was arranged for, the necessity- fo Ahis being specially stressed .by several members present. Interpretation of Award. The secretary's action was approved in connexion with several cases where sheepowners had experienced difficulty during shearing operations, and- he was authorised to make representations and place the contentions of the employers before the Arbitration Court m_ connexion with an application for. an interpretation of Clause 2 of the existing shearers' award dealing with hours of work which was being presented by the Inspector of Labour at Napier. It was decided to endorse the action of the New Zealand Employers'_ Federation in endeavouring to obtain an amendment to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act limiting its application to workers who arc not in receipt of a specified sum per annum. Quality of Woolpacks. A letter was read from a country member drawing attention to the very low quality anil light weight of woolpacks supplied in some cases to sheepowners in the country. The matter was dealt with in committee, and the secretary instructed to take the necessary steps to rectify it, it being pointed out" that the Board of Trade fiat rate of tare was charged against woolpacks of specified sizes, quite irrespective of their weight and quality, and the use

of light weight packs resulted in heavy loss to the user under • present conditions.

The Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister- of Agriculture, wrote with reference to shipping freights on wool, stating that the matter had been dealt with by the Department, in conjunction with the Overseas Shipowners' Committee, and that it was not found possible to make any alteration in. the-rates as at.present fixed for wool, but that reductions had been arranged in the-freights on tallow, pelts, and fruit, and. this was as far as the companies could possibly cro to meet the request of the committee at present. The letter was received, and the secretary instructed to 'write'the Minister, • acknowledging the help given regarding this matter. The secretary reported that. Sir ■ Andrew Russell was' endeavouring to arrange for a certain number of young Englishmen of ■ good standing to. be ■placed throughout New Zealand, with a view to their ultimately becoming settlers. It was decided to go fully into the question. With a view to giving all the assistance possible, the secretary was authorised to get into .touch with those members who would be will ng to assist in making the scheme a■success. A rou<di draft of the scheme was submitted and generally approved The secretary was authorised to make final arrangements regarding purchase of rabbit netting, on behalf of members through the New Zealand Sheepowners* Federation. Tar Branding and Dip Stains. Mr R M. Morten drew attention to the remarks of some Bradford manufacturers during Mr Massey's visit to Bradford, in which they are reported to have intimated their willingness to pay something extra towards the cost of an improved wool-pack, and also drawing attention to the detrimental results of tar branding of sheep. Air Morten expressed the opinion that botii these remarks were entirely uncalled for if they were meant to be applied to New Zealand conditions, as in the first case the Bradford manufacturers in the past had made no allowance whatever for woolpacks, these being supplied by the wool-grower free of cost; he_ receiving no allowance whatever lrom eitheAhe broker or the buyer. This was not the case when eornsacks were being dealt with, and other packages. Even fruit cases were charged up to tlie purchaser when buying the fruit, and it seemed unfair that the woolgrower should be expected to continue to provide an expensive woolpack free of cost. With regard to tar branding, this practice had never been carried out to any extent in New Zealand, it beino- more applicable to Australia, where conditions were entirely different to those obtaining in New Zealand. Mr Morten stressed the point that there was a possibility that some of the smaller farmers might use tar for branding, but that no experienced sheer) man would entertain the idea of tar branding for a moment. It was also pointed out that dip stain on wool should not occur as there was no risk of stain if the directions were carefully followed and the necessary care taken with the sheep after dipping. Dip stain was unknown in well-manag-ed flocks. . The secretarv was instructed .to make representations A o the Prime Minister when in Wellington on several matters of interest to producers.