DROVERS DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 564, 20 July 1909, Page 2

DROVERS DISPUTE

HEALTH AND WAGES. l (By Tolcirraph.-SpeoiiJ Oot respondent)' . > i ... Napfer,'July 19. *'■' The Conciliation Council to-day had under consideration the drovers' disntito t v Mr. M'Cartby, who appeared for the , union,' l ? said one of tho reasons why an award was' wanted was because the work was detnmen-' tal to the health of the men, and because the union wanted protection agauist u certain class of drover that had come into this district The union desired to have shepherds exempted from the award. The witnesses called by the union were bronze-faced, robust-looking men, and the suggestion that there ■was anything the matter with their health was provocative of considerable amusement. Tho first witness called, John/Hunt, said ho had been droving for 29 years, and. he had never suffered, from tho occupation. He i nover felt'better than when he was on the road, and sleeping out did not affect him. Harry Anderson ? nnotlier witness, said he had been ongagod in droving in Hawko's Bay for ton years, but during tho last twelve months he had been engaged in stable work, it He considered an award was necessary, bocause of tho undercutting in wages, and the fact that a capable man could not live Mr Wright, -m opening the case for i the employers, said that m dealing with this disputo the council had forced upon it by tho union the greatest responsibility it had as yet been obliged to undertake in this district Tho sheep farmers, who were tho real respondents,, were of the opinion that no agreement could bo arrived at which would not break down when put to tho test of the ever-varying necessities of pastoral pursuits. Tho rato of wages paid to drovers in Hawke'e Bay was the highost in any part of the Dominion, and there was no present intention on tho part of omployem to reduce it. Owing to a glut in tho meat market in England, there was oveiy probability of a fall in the value of stock, and he asked was tins tne time to increase the cost of production? Evidence was given by a number of station managers, run-holders, and stock auctioneers, who agreed that tho demands of tho union wei o impracticable, and that an award would disturb the prosont friendly relations with - the drovers, and lead to friction. The council adjourned until to-morrow for the purpose of allowing the commissioner (Mr. P. Hally) to consult with both &idoa\