WAGE RATES FOR SHEARERS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27987, 6 June 1956, Page 18

WAGE RATES FOR SHEARERS

DROP OF 4/- A 100

FIGURES FOR 1956-57 SEASON

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 5. Wage rates for shearers for the 1956-57 season will be lower by 4s a 100 sheep shorn than they were last season. This has been decided by the committee of determination which meets annually in accordance with the provisions of the New Zealand Shearers’ and Shed Hands’ Award. The fall is an outcome of a drop in the average price of greasy wool from 49.67 d per lb in 1954-55 to just over 46d in 1955-56. The new minimum rate for machine shearing is £3 8s a 100 sheep, with rations provided. A premium of 20

per cent, will be paid for hand shearing. Special rates are set out for shearing pregnant ewes, stud sheep, and lamb rams and hogget rams, and double-fleeced sheep. The minimum rate for ordinary crutching is one-quarter 'of that paid for shearing, with an extra 3s a 100 allowed where top-knotting and eyewigging are required. Pressers will be paid 5s 7d an hour, and shed hands 5s sd. Pressers a»e, however, permitted to operate on a piecework basis. Where 12 persons or fewer are to be catered for, cooks will be paid £1 18s a day, with an extra 3s for every person over that number. Where more than 28 have to be served, the rate shall be decided by mutual arrangement. The rate for cooks’ assistants is £1 8s 8d a day. An allowance of 7s a day to all workers will be made in cases where meals are not provided by employers. The new rates become effective from July 1. The determining committee consisted of Mr G. E. Wood, Government Statistician, Mr J. C. Adams, employers’ representative, and Mr H. J. Allen, representing the Shearers’ i * Union.