RATES FOR SHEARING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16097, 10 December 1915, Page 8

RATES FOR SHEARING.

ME. LARACY'S ALLEGATIONS. Tbt telegraph.— own COEBESPONDEKT.] Wellington, Thursday. In connection with an assertion made by Mr. Laracy, secretary of the New Zealand Shearers* Association, that certain sheepowners have been paying more than the award rate of £1 per 100 for shearing, with the stipulation that the difference must be paid to patriotic fonts, and a challenge by a Wairarapa farmer for the names of such sheep-owners, Mr. Laracy to-day made the following further statement: "I am receiving correspondence in connection with the statement made by me in regard to 22s 5d per 100 being paid, with a deduction of 2s 6d for the Wounded Soldiers' Fend. I reiterate that statement, and know of sheds at the present time where the increased price is being paid under this condition. Certain representatives of the sheep-owners have challenged me to give the names of the sheepowners, concerned, and I am prepared to five their names when the sheep-owners eny absolutely that the practice prevails. With the statement as to whether or not the money is going to the funds in the men's names I am not concerned. If a sheep-owner stipulates at the commencement of shearing that he will give 22s 6d, but 2s 6d of that amount is to go to the patriotic fund, then th*» shearers are not getting 22a 6a for shearing."