SHEARERS AND SHEEPOWNERS.

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1917, Page 4

SHEARERS AND SHEEPOWNERS.

AN" OPEN CONFERENCE,

As the result of an open conference, held at Taihape between sheepowners and shearers, an industrial agreement has been arrived at.

The chairman stated that the union had brought the conference together with the hope of settling the trouble which threatened the industry. If the conference could draw up a workable industrial agreement for the coming shearing season in the Taihape district not only would the local interests be safeguarded, but such a lead given as would be hailed with satisfaction and relief throughout the country. He called upon the conference to make an honest endeavour to come to a settlement upon which such vital interest in issues were involved, and if Taihape workers and employers could agree a great national service would be rendered in pointing the way over the trouble which threatened the whole country.

The main provisions of the agreement, which is to last for two years, from September 1, 1917, are as follow:—

The hours of shearing shall be from 7.30 a.m. till 5.30 p.m., with two half-hour smokes, and one hour for dinner, and shearing shall cease at 12 noon on Saturdays.

The rate for shearing by hand for machines shall be not less than 30s per 100, with rations. The rate for shearing stud sheep, double-fleeced sheep, rams or ram stags shall be double ordinary rates. On demand the employer shall pay the shearer, or to his order, any sum not exceeding 75 per cent, of the net amount then due to him.

All sheep shorn shall be paid for in full, on the termination of the shearer's employment. If the shearer's employment shall have terminated before the completion of shearing (through sickness, accidents, or any other unforeseen causes) he shall be paid in full for all sheep shorn. That a sufficient supply of good, wholesome food, properly cooked, be provided by the employer, including vegetables in season, potatoes, pickles, and sauce, one pound of jam, and one pound of butter per man per week.

The rate of pay for shed hands was fixed at £3 a week, irrespective of sex, and for wool pressers not less than £4 a week, 2s a bale, or Od a cwt.

Cooks shall receive £4 per week for 20 men or under, £5 per week for between 20 and 30 men, and for over ■*0 men £6 per week and found in each ease. Cooks' assistants shall be provided where there are 20 men or over and such assistant shall be paid not less than £3 a week and found.