SHEEPOWNERS MEET

Evening Post, Volume CCX, Issue 145, 22 June 1933, Page 12

SHEEPOWNERS MEET

STATE OF INDUSTRY

POLICY JUSTIFIED

The claim that the federation had fully justified its existence and maintained its prestige through one of the most difficult years in its history was made in the annual report of the executive of tho New Zealand Sheepowners' and Farmers' Federation, presented at the annual meeting yesterday. The report referred to the Conciliation Council sittings held in connection with the wool industry. lv.no case was an agreement found to be possible, and the executive appreciated the difficult situation in which the workers' representatives found themselves under the existing economic conditions, equally with the employers. Reports had'been, received from all districts covering shearing operations, and the policy tollowed last season had, in the executive's opinion, been fully justified, no trouble -having been experienced except in some individual cases in the Gisbomo district. As a result of the experience of employers during the shearing season, with the exception ot the trouble which occurred at Gisborne, the op.inion of the various executives was that tho federation was wise in standing firm against any flat rate of pay above that which could be considered a fair basic wage having regard to political considerations. No difficulty whatever was experienced during the past season with_ regard to mustering, packing, or droving, this work having been carried through by mutual arrangement between the parties and without friction. Taking the broad view, the executive .was of opinion that the policy adopted by the federation with regard to industrial matters had been fully justified. The continued low average prices received for wool, which were slightly lower than those of 1932, precluded the possibility of paying higher rates than those decided upon in the. federation 's offer for last season's shearing operations. It was hoped that a satisfactory agreement would be found possible both in the interests of the industry and of the ■ workers themselves. It certainly did appear, however, to be impossible to meet tho present costs of production in the industry unless a substantial rise in the price of produce took place.. Handling of stock at the various freezing works had boon carried on throughout the season without any new award having been made, and there would appear to be no reason to anticipate any great difficulty in carrying on operations at the works so far as labour was concerned, the installation of the chain system at several works -h ,ving demonstrated the possibility of dispensing with the services of the solo slaughterman as a specialist worker in the industry. It was reported that the Associated Chambers of Commerce had written suggesting a conference between manufacturers' and importers' associations, and the various primary producers' organisations and themselves, with a view to discussing recommendations to be made to the Government. The president, Mr. Acland, and Mr. James Begg (Dunedin), with the secretary, Mr. W. H. Nicholson (Canterbury), were appointed to represent the federation at the conference. The general opinion of those present was that it was urgently necessary for all sections of industry to get together. With a view to submitting evidence on behalf of sheep-owners, Messrs. Acland, Begg, and Nicholson were also appointed as the representatives of the federation to go before tho Tariff Commission. The following resolution concerning shipping freights was carried unanimously:— "That in view of the fall in,values of primary products exported from New Zealand, which have to compete with other countries employing lower freight rates, representations should be made to shipping companies and the meat, and1 dairy control boards to obtain a substantial reduction." The meeting recorded its objection to any increase in the quota of produce exported to Great Britain. Officers were elected for the year as follows: —President, Mi-. H. I). Acland (Canterbury); vice-president, Mr. J. S. Jessep (Wairoa); treasurer, Mr. E. Hay (Canterbury); auditor, Mr. A. A. McKcllar (Christchurch).