THE DROVERS' TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 194, 11 May 1908, Page 3

THE DROVERS' TROUBLE.

In connection with the Drovers' and Shepherds' Union dispute .with the employers (writes our Wairarapa correspondent), it appears jhat at present the , pay is invariably 10s. per day and expenses, which, on the roads, in town districts, amounts to another lis. 6d. a day. The drovers suggest, that they .should receive 21s; 6d. ,por day and pay, their , own -expenses. The employers express the opinion that'if this gestion is carried out, the drovers are'likely , to be paid, in the.back country, for expenses whioh. would not exist. , In other words, they would be paid, while'being billeted free of charge qn the farmers' at whoso houses they would be staying.' It is also pointed out that,' as at is tho farmers who really have to pay eventually' for wages and expenses, there should be. some other arrangement which would deal more equitably. Objection is also made by employer's to" clauses in the demands which practically allow a drover to draw his 21s..Gd. even if he loads only one truck of sheep, and which prevents the farmer from- being indemnified - against loss or damage sustained. .Objection was also made to' shepherds being included ■ in the Union with, the ,drovers, the reason , being that-by so doing there is probability of a considerable injustice to farmers. The question was-asked, .what, would happen if -the drovers went out on strike? And the answer \Vas that the farmers themselves would then take to the road. •''.- N ■.