SHEARERS’ WAGES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 291, 8 September 1928, Page 10

SHEARERS’ WAGES

EMPLOYERS’ SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT REPLY TO UNION SECRETARY VOLUNTARY SYSTEM PREFERABLE TO COMPULSION “It is unfair to expect the sheepowners to enter into a discussion on a voluntary basis unless both parties are on an equal tooting, and until Parliament has altered ’the law no useful purpose can be served by two parties commencing a discussion, one on a voluntary and the other on a compulsory basis.” The above views were expressed yesterday by Mr. W. H. Nicholson, secretary of the New Zealand Sheepowners Federation, in replying to recent statements, by Mr. A. Cook, secretary of the New Zealand Shearers’ Union, concerning the negotiations for a new agreement to cover the coming season. Mr. Nicholson explained that at the conference held in Wellington on August 29 the shearers’ representatives were of opinion that a new„ award should be made, and hoped that the sheepowners representatives would be prepared to discuss the award, clause by clause, with a view to alteration in conditions along lines which would be in the interests of the workers, and also that the sheepowners’ representatives would be able to see their way to give an v increase in rates. .... , The president asked if the shearers were prepared to accept the principle of voluntary as against compulsory arbitration!. If so, the federation was prepared to discuss the award with a view to an agreement. The shearers representatives, however, would not agree to the voluntary system, and suggested that they had no intention of departing from the present compulsory system. , , Mr. Acland pointed out that it was unfair to expect the sheepowners to enter into a discussion on a voluntary basis unless both parties were on an equal footing, and that until Parliament had altered the law, no useful purposes could be served by two parties commencing a discussion, one on a voluntary and the other on a compulsory basis. “Wanting It Both V\ ays.

The shearers, in effect, were asking to have it both ways. It appeared to be quite plain from statements made by the shearers’ representatives that they wished the sheepowners to discuss alterations favourable to the workers/ but nothing more, the present award giving the workers a certainty with regard to the maintenance of the present .Conditions, while there was no possibility of any arguments from the employers’ side being accepted, no matter how sound they might be. The shearers’ representatives expressed their disappointment, and again referred to the president’s statements at the Industrial Conference, but it was pointed out by the secretary that until' Parliament had definitely decided whether or not the compulsory system was to be continued or unless the shearers were prepared to accept the voluntary system as suggested in the employers’ report to the Government from the Industrial Conference .that no alteration in present conditions would be possible or fair to the industry; also that the effect of the Government’s Bill extending the period during which no new award could be made in the primary industries for a further 12 months from September 1 of this year, was merely to extend the existing award for one year, and that this would* not result in hardship to the workers, as on many previous occasions the Court had made awards for a three-year period. ; Pending action by Parliament, the employers felt that an alteration at the present time would be undesirable, and might compromise employers in the industry, should the present arbitration system be continued as a result of Parliamentary‘action next session. A Sliding Scale. Reference was made to the high prices being obtained for wool, and on this ground it was claimed by the shearers’ representatives that an increase in rates should be paid. The employers’ representatives stated that they were prepared to discuss a new agreement, provided the shearers would agree to accept'the prin ci pie of a sliding scale of. rates of pay in accordance with the rise or fall of wool. prices, so that if an increase was granted on a rising market, a corresponding decrease should be accepted in proportion to a fall in price. The shearers’ representatives, however, continued Mr. -Nicholson, refused to accept, this basis for the fixation of rates. - ' ' ■ 1 The president said he regretted in view of the attitude taken up by the shearers’ representatives on the two vital points mentioned that his federation council could not see its way to seriously discuss any amendment of the present award, especially in view of the fact that the shearers’ representatives had definitely stated that they would on no account and no matter what arguments were put forward by the employers, discuss anything other than increases in wages and alterations in conditions which they chose to put forward. He promised, on behalf of the council, to meet the shearers next year, when the position as to whether the Act is to be amended or otherwise had been definitely cleared up. / “Not Sincere.” As evidence that the Shearers’ Union was not sincere when it met the Sheepowners’ Federation in conference in Wellington at the end of last month, Mr. Nicholson stated that on August 11, nearly three weeks before the date on which he had arranged to meet the sheepowners, Mr. A. Cook had addressed a meeting of shearers at Timaru, at which the following resolutions had been carried: — “That this meeting condemns the bonus system offered by many pastoral industry employers, and all shearers be instructed to demand a flat rate during the forthcoming season.” “That all South Canterbury shearers ask for a minimum rate of 325. 6d. per hundred for the 1928-29 season, and do not accept engagement at less than the above rate.”