RATES FOR SHEARING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 197, 9 August 1930, Page 8

RATES FOR SHEARING

MINIMUM SCALE THIS YEAR Although no definite advice has been received by tho Gisborne and Coast Shoepfarmers ’ Union, it is certain that ,as a result of low prices tor wool last season, the minimum shearing rate of 25/- per 100 will prevail this year in accordance with the agreement reached between tho Shccpowners’ and Shearers’ Union about two years ago. This agreement stipulated that rates were to bo on a sliding scale according to tho prico of wool tho previous season tho rates ranging from a minimum of 25/- per 100 on a basis of 12d. to 13<1. per lb. for wool, to 355. on tho basis of 22d. per lb. The agreement came into operation in 1928-29 after a comparatively good season for sheep-owners, when tho clip averaged 16.67 d. per lb. over tho whole Dominion, giving shearing nites of 30s. per 100. With the drop in tho price of wool to ,11.8<1. per lb. as the Dominion average, tho shearing nite last season fell to 27s 6d., which was the generally recognised rato in the Gisborne district before the agreement camo into operation. If there were no minimum in the sliding scale, tho rate this season lor shearing would bo very low indeed, for tho average price of wool in the Dominion last season was as low as 8.55 d. per lb. However, tho agreement was for a period of three years, anil the coming season will bo tho last in which it will operate unless employers’ and workers’ representatives agree to its continuation,