THE SHEARERS DISPUTE.

North Otago Times, 7 January 1908, Page 1

THE SHEARERS DISPUTE.

Per Press Association. Palmerston North, Jnn. 6, A special • meeting of the Palmerston branch ol tlio Farmers' Union wan held to-day to discuss tho matter of tho shearers' dispute, It was stated that tho object cl tho union wns to improvo tho conditions ot farmers generally and to help every branch of farming, farm laborers included. TliO following objections to tho claims of tho shearers wore raised : (1) Tha rnto cannot bo (lie same for all districts; (2) if thero are machines tho prices should not no tho same as if lmnd-shoars wero used; (3) for sheds which havo a large night pen in proportion to tho number of shearers there should be n different rato; (4) somo givo and take was necessary in connection with dagging wet sheep, which should bo subject to tho decision of tho men and the manager of tho shed ;. (5) limitation of learners is unreasonable, for there aro too few shearers already. . Thero was a.I public meeting of farmers in tho afternoon, when the necessity for taking action to meet tho caso was pointed out, and it was stated tlmt the union would not go before tho Conciliation Court, though it was quito willing to assist to an amicablo understanding. • Tho following resolutions wero carried : That tho meotirg requests the .-Provincial Executive ol tho Farmers' Union to tako steps fo meet its citation before tho Conciliation' Board, and agrees to pay 5s per thousand sheep towards fighting funds :■ that the. meeting: endorses the. action, o*. tho" Farmers' Union Executive in doclininp to nrguo before the Conciliation Board." A committee was •annoinfcd to act with tho Farmers' Union Executive,