THE SHEARING CASE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 327, 31 January 1908, Page 4

THE SHEARING CASE.

Both sides have now appointed delegates, as is shown elsewhere in this issue, and it only remains for these delegates to meet and see how far they can go in arranging a settlement. Many are inclined to be pessimistic because the farmers will not give way on /the preference clause, and it is feared that the shearers Will be equally stubborn. We doubt whether they will. If they are they will be ill-advised,.because the Court will not grant nreferenc, and we do not think that it should. The shearers have already intimated through onr columns, and at the Maaterton conference, that the objection to the learners' clause will be fully met and the dagging and wet sheep clauses are simply matters for arrangement, for no sane owner wants to have undagged sheep at the board, or wet sheep shorn, if he respects his pocket and his wool. Those are matters which a reasonable spirit will easily arrange. There remains the matter of price, and we believe that it will be here that the shearers will obtain the concession to the £1 standard. Even if the conference should not come to agreement on every point, each point that it does agree on simplifies the position and lessens the area of contention to come before the Court, while if an agreement is come to, the Conciliation Board will adopt it and it will be confirmed by the Arbitration Court and given the force of an award.