THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 101, 22 January 1908, Page 9

THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

PROSPECTS OF A SETTLEMENT. STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRSL\N OF THE CONCILIATION BOARD. Tho mombers of tlio Wellington Conciliation Board returned to town yesterday,, after nil absonco of several days, -during which they held sittings at Masterton, Napier, and Wan-, ganui in connection with the shearers' dispute. Mr. P. J. O'llegan, chairman of the Conciliation Board, whon seen by a Dominion reporter shortly after' his return, mado a statement as to the present position of tlio dispute. " Tho Board's itinerary was fixed,"' said Mr. O'Regan, " wliilo 1. was away, and tho Bo?.rd at that time thought thero was no liopo of a satisfactory settlement of the dispute. At Masterton, however, Mr. J. C. Cooper, the [''armors' Union representative, who was present, requested tlio Board not to deal with the case as a dispute at the present staple, for tho reason that tho Far■mers' Union and the flock-owners generally were most desirous that a representative couI'eronco between/ them and the shearers should bo held. Ho explained that a technical difficulty had prevented tlio Farmers' Union from participating in the conferenco that tool: phco some time ago, inasmuch as tho rules of the. Union had to.bo altered in order -to make it ail Association of employers. ■' BOTH SIDES WILLING TO CONFER. "As the' Shearers' Union representative also expressed a strong desire for a conference, the' Board had no option, but to take advantage of tho'powers conferred by Section 51 of tlio Industrial 1 Conciliation aiid Arbitration Act, and adjourn the proceedings until tho conference hud . taken placo, but. an arrangement was made with Mr. Cooper to the effect that, after tho; conferenco, the result should be specially communicated to the Board. In the event of an agreement being reached;- tho Board will make that agreement its recommendation. If tho parties do not agree, then the Board will be compelled'to inquire' ii)to tho dispute, aud framo a recommendation.' It will then be competent for either party to take the case to tho Arbitration Court. FKIK.N'DLY SETTLEMENT HOPED FOR. "When the Board was at Wnnganui on Monday,continued Mr. O'Rogan, "Mr. Cooper came again and informed us that tho conferenco would take place at Palmcrston North in ahnut a fortnight, and that representative flock-owners, from all parts' ol tlio Wellington district, would attend, and that those present would include both largiand small sheep-farmers. Mr. Abbott, the shearers' representative, gave an undertaking, 011 behalf of his side, that , tho conferonco would bo thoroughly representative rtl tho shearers throughout tho industrial district.' ' "1 may say that I have every hope thai the conferenco will result in a satisfactory settlement being arrived at. In conversatioi with Isevoral flock-oivuers, I found them mosl reasonable and prepared to concede many points the demands of tho Shearers Union. ' I am also pleased to , say that m received assurances everywhere that, -blioulc the Board have to deal with the matter there will be. no occasion to invoke the powe of subpoenaing witnesses. -It sennuj incon sistcnt with tho principle of conciliation tha there should be any compulsion at all, am although tho Act gives power to compel th attendance of witnesses, the Board was ver glad to be assured that thero will be no necessity to do so." • '