THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8534, 14 March 1908, Page 3

THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT. MUTUAL CONGRATULATIONS. Per Press Association WELLINGTON, March 13. The Conciliation Board met to-day ■to consider the Board's draft agreement in the sheareis' dispute The agreement, which was tho outcome of the recent conference at Palmerston North, was adopted with slight alteration. The employers were represented by Mr J. C. Cooper (of the Farmers' Union) and the shearers by Mr Abbott (secretary of the Shearers' Union). The Chairman of tho Board, Mr P. J. O'Rcgan, congratulated the parties on the result of the conference, and said it was quite clear that where there was a mutual desire for an agreement a settlement was possible of attainment. It was only fair to make public the fact that after tho conference sat at Palmerston North tho good offices of the Labour members of the Board had been used to induce the members of the Shearers' Union to accept tho agreement arrived at. ) Speaking on behalf of tho employers, Mr Cooper said the recent conference was an exceedingly amicable one, and for his own part, he did not wish to meet better men than the shearers' representatives. Ho wished to thank the members of the Board for the services thqy had rendered. Mr Abbott said the result of the conference was a triumph for the principle of meeting in conference to settle disputes. The Board's recommendations, which will be given effect to as an award, will probably be filed to-morrow.