WAGES DISPUTES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1735, 10 February 1921, Page 5

WAGES DISPUTES.

DEADLOCK WITH SHEARERS. BOILERMAKERS GO BACK. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last night. A dispute has arisen between the Dominion Sheepowners’ Federation and the shearers and shed hands concerning the wages. A conference took place to-day, but no decision was arrived at. The president of the Owners’ Federation (H. D. Ackland) pointed out that there had been a large depreciation in the wool market and quoted the following offer to the shearers’ representatives in reduction of the present rates: —Shearers fl per 100, pressers £2 2/6 weekly or 1/3 per hour; other shed hands £2 per week or 1/2 per hour; cooks £3 per week, cooks’ assistants £2 per week; other working conditions to remain unaltered. The union delegates presented the following demands: Shearers £1 15/ per 100; pressers £5 per week or 2/6 per hour; all other shed hands £4 6/ per week or 2/3 per hour; youths £3 per week or 1/9 per hour; cooks £5 10/ per week, cooks’ assistants £5 per week. A complete deadlock was arrived at, but the claims are to be considered before the Conciliation Commissioner to-morrow.

The trouble which arose at the patent slip a fortnight ago regarding the payment of “dirt money” has been settled. The boilermakers are to return to work to-morrow morning and make a subsequent application to the Arbitration Court for an interpretation of the clause in dispute.