SHEARERS’ DEMANDS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 122, 16 February 1921, Page 8

SHEARERS’ DEMANDS

Sir,—l hope the farmers will wake up from their usual apathy and absolutely refuse, in spite of threats, to gr.-int shearing and shed hands any further increase. The fact of the matter is, the majority of farmers in this country will find it a problem to pay their way and keep going on present prices, and they were not able like the British farmers to lay up money during the war, the latter getting high prices for wool, meat, and everything produced. What are the shearers thinking of? And to where do they think their demands would lend if acceded to, with wool averaging Bd. per lb.; wool packs, and everything else connected with the industry also at high prices. How, may I ask, could these wages te met? The Australians should return to Australia; no doubt wool being a. higher price there they would get their increase. It is all veyj- well for a man to sit in an office at a good salary and demand this and that, forgetting that his salarj’, and those he represents, depends'on the prosperity of the farmers, and their ability to pay, and these everlasting demands and increases are only killing the industry, and making people decide to do as much of their work as they possibly can themselves.— I am, etc., _ u ,, AT TT 25 YEARS.