THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9432, 12 February 1894, Page 5

THE SHEARERS' DISPUTE

CHARGES AGAINST THE * PASTORALISTS. TROUBLE BREWING. Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.— Sydney, February 10. The pastoralists'state .that there has been no alteration in the system of engaging shearers since the last conference, Which affirmed the principle of freedom of contract. "No information . has been officially, received regarding the action of the Shearers' Conference, therefore nothing will be; done by the pastoralists pending further developments. In the course of an interview, the President of the Shearers' ' Conference asserted that shearers were required to pay a deposit ot £1» and submit a reference from previous employers as a condition for securing engagement. He accused the employers of sending down confidential reports, which he believed was an attempt to place on the black list men taking a prominent part in protecting the interests of their fellows. What the Conference wanted was direct engagement between the shearers and sheep-owners. No objection, he said, was raised to working with non-union men. The Conference decided to amalgamate the Shearers' Union with the General Labour Union. . It is also expected that all bush unions in Queensland will be amalgamated. A general union of all bush organisations throughout the colonies takes place shortly.