SHEARERS' SECTION

Maoriland Worker, Volume 4, Issue 139, 3 October 1913, Page 7

SHEARERS' SECTION

By M. LARACY

On September 17 a meeting of members of the Shearers' Association was . held in Oamaru, about 33 members being present. The Report of Conference was discussed at length, and a number of important matters dealt with. On account of misunderstanding some members were not satisfied, but when an explanation was submitted at the conclusion of an address by the secretary diseatisfactioi vanished, and all present signified their intention of doing all in their power to forward the interests of the Association during the approaching shearing season. The hon. secretary, Mr. A. J. McKenzie, will bo pleased to supply to members all information in connection with the business of the Association, and shearers and shed hands passing through Oamaru should call upon him in his cycle shop, Queen's Buildings, Thames Street, Oamaru. . tn Timaru I met our old friend, Arthur King, who has (on account of the trouble on the waterfront in that town) been forced to seek work in the country. Arthur is not the only one of our boys who has received a bump. I also missed Archie Hall from his old poet. A number of the old hands are taking the country air away from their wives and families while their old places are filled by our mates who have helped to bring this state of things about. There are no fanners standing by tho log 9 anxiously waiting for a job and a boss when workers are being selected. . • Good toilers like the Mcintosh brothers now stand back with others of the old school with little or no chance of being called upon. In my trip I came into contact with ft large number of late arrivals from the old country. Many of them are good unionists, but not knowing the conditions existing in this country and anxious to obtain a job, take on work such as scrub-cutting, etc., at a sweating rate of wage. These men should receive the attention of the organisers of U.F.L. and S.D.P., for until such time as the country workers are organised Labor must remain as at present.

In an interview with the secretary of the Canterbury Farm Laborers' Union, he informed mc that "the farm and station workers in Canterbury are beginning to wake up and to see the absolute necessity of being organised i.nd demanding better wages and conditions, and a large number are beginning to see that no party in politics is going to do any good for them until they are industrially organised. i "The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Laborers' Union is an industrial union on the very soundest basis, J and in spite of the victimisation of its members both past and present will win out next harvest. The secretary of the above union informs mc he is receiving great promises from the unions, both financially and in resolutions such as the following from the several unions whose members go harvesting and grass-seeding in Canterbury every year: 'That the members of this union pledge themselves not to take work in Canterbury during the dispute with the Mill-owners or Farmers' Union.' "This ought to put now life into the union. "The wages of farm labor in Can- j terbiiry are fast getting back to preunion times, and 6s. per day and 16s. per week is still the ruling wage in a good many districts. Employers know that, so long as there is a large surplus of labor, wages, hours of employment and conditions are bad. "Wherever the Farmers' Union is fairly strong, wages and conditions are bad, and the poor new chum is fleeced and sweated. These Farmers' Union 'men seem to get all the new chums; in some districts not a single local man can get a job except at the sweating rates above mentioned. "The secretary and president of the union went out to Pribbleton on Saturday, 13th ult., to hold a meeting, and the poor slaves were too much afraid of Mr. Cookie to come to the meeting. They pointed out several members of the union who were boycotted for joining the union and forced out of the district, lids is the district over which Mr. Jones presides, and it is one of the worst districts in New Zealand for a worker. New chums who don't yet know tho conditions generally—Burnham boys poor nnfortunatea who cannot help themselves. "There was one of these Burnham boys working for a very prominent n.ember of the Farmers' Union, a noted lay preacher and a past president of the Fanners' Union. The secretary of tho workers' union sold him a ticket, and the employer refused to give him the money to pay for it, and gave the lad a lecture on tho crime of going against bis employer, and warned him to get back to the narrow path*

"It is to b° hoped the farm and station workers in other parts of New Zealand will follow the Canterbury men in their fight for living conditions. 1 am sure the Canterbury union will do all it possibly can to help any district to form a branch."

Back to Wellington on 19th, and on that day attended to most important portion of mail accumulated in my absence, and the morning of the 20th found mc vn route to Tenui. Train to Maiterton, where a horse and sulky was ready to complete the journey—a .•natter of 30 miles through country well worth seeing. There 13 no douht that a railway through this country would be of great service, but resumption of land by the Government should be indulged in if ever this line goes through. Rod. Moßae oanie through with mc, and knowing tho country as ho does, proved a most interesting companion. Teu'ji was reached at G.3Q, and th« boys were there to meet us. The meeting was well attended, and at the conclusion of an address a number of questions were put and answered satisfactorily. .On Sunday morning, at 9 a.m., we started on the return journey, arriving at our destination at 1.30, after one of the moat pleasant drives it has been my lot to enjoy. Masterton meeting on Sunday night was a bcom success, about SO members being in attendance. The agreement arrived at came in for a deal of comment, and for this season members appear well satisfied with sunie. Contract shearing came in for more than its share of unfavorable criticism, and members present declared themselves in direct opposition to the' contract system. The action of some members of tire Shearers' Association in becoming strike-breakers during the Slaughtermen's Strike was severely condemned, and the secretary was requested to furnish a list of all such to any member desiring same.

The heinous crime of holding a Shearers' Union meeting on the Sabbath wa9 dealt with by the preacher at the Knox Church on Sunday, and it is on the cards that we are going to alienate sympathy which certain individuals hold towards certain planks in our platform. What piffle some of these people do talk. If our reverend friend knew the first thing about filling the place of the lowly Nasarene, he would first make an attempt to abolish the washing dove on Sunday ty the station toilers. Our reverend friend might offend master if he took such a hand, but he is on a good wicket with a number of the wool-kings around the dry city if he whack* those shearers who happen to on a Sunday evening discuss ways and means of keeping the reverend gentleman. To keep Lim in comfort where his accommodation does not require inspection it is necessary to improve our conditions and rates of pay. As we do not desire to drag members into the city on a week-night we find our best time to meet is Sunday. Members are urged to send in notes suitable for this column during the shearing season. Members should see that,sheds are reported immediately a start/ is made. Nominations for president) secretary and delegates to Conference closed on the 30th ult., and will appear in next issue of "The Worker." We require agents for the Association wherever possible. Members are rehmided that shears will be sent post free to any part of New Zealand at 17s. 6d. per packet. Cash roust accompany order. The ballot for delegates to Conference will be interesting, and nominations dose on the 30th. Up to the present 14 nominations have Leen received. The Terawhiti and Tekainra shearing will be in full swing in a few days, and a number of sheds in the Wairarapa will be going about the 20th. E. Sinnet, a membei of the Association lying in Dunedin hospital, appeals for assistance- I have made inquiries, and find that his case is a genuine one, as a communication received from the house surgeon gc*3 to prove. Mr. Sinnot has had his tongue removed, and is incapacitated from work. I shall be pleased to receive donations from anyone willing to assist. All amounts received will be acknowledged in "The Worker."