THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 241, 4 July 1908, Page 5

THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

INTERESTING PHASE. AN EXTRAORDINARY POSITION. (BY TELEOBAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) - ChrfstoJiuroh, July 3. In his address to-day in tho. shearers' dispute before the Arbitration Court, Mr. Darcy, the Union's representative, said (according to the "Star" report) that' preforonco had been refused in' Australia because tho rules of the Union there had provided that a portion of the funds should'-.be given to.political purposes.'. ; His Honour said that Judgo O'Connor, in Australia, had decided that by reason of that provision in the rules, preference was impossible, and ho would therefore not have to consider the question of whether'it-was desirable. Continuing, his Honour said that tho Canterbury Union had a membership of 000, of whom three-quarters were Australians, practically Mr. Darcy was asking for an award in. favour of a uuiou of Australian workers. Mr. Darcy : I do not know about threequarters.' His Honour: Your own witness said it. At all events, they aro not, Now Zealand citizens. They are not subject to tho laws of New Zealand, except when they aro here. It is practically a union of Australian workers asking for an award of tho Arbitration Court. Was that ever contemplated by the framers of the Act? .

Mr. D'Arcy: They do tho work. In any case, three-quarters of the men shearing in Canterbury are members of the union.

His Honour: The Act-was passed for tho benefit of New Zealanders, not for tho benefit of Australians. The fact that you' havo many Australian members who find it worth while to como here makes it appear that tho rate is a reasonable one. If it is good enough for them to pay their fares hero the rate must not bo a low one. What does it cost to como here?

Mr. Darcy: Prom Sydney to Wellington is £4 10s. .

His Honour: Well, an Australian shearer pays that, and loses a fortnight. If he is prepared to do that it is ail argument in favour of tho New Zealand wago. Mr.' Darcy: That is one .of tho exigencies of tho shoaror's life. Ho has to follow shearing throughout ' the colonies.- The sheopowners do not find hiin. employment as soon as the season is over.

His Honour : Why should tho Court mako tho rato so high as to tempt a large number of Australian workers to competo with New Zealandors? You said the present rato was not good enough for tho Australian worker. If it is not good enough let him stay away. Thon tho market for tho Now Zealand worker will improve, and tho wages will increase. What you aro trying to do is to put rip rates in order to incroaso the competition for New Zealand workers for tho sako of 600 Australian workers who want to increase tho rates, although only 300 Now Zealandors will benefit by it.