SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17267, 17 September 1919, Page 9

SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

SEEKING A SETTLEMENT.

CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Proceedings with a view to bringing /about a settlement of the shearers* dispute opened to-day before the Conciliation Commissioner. The Hawke's Bay Sheepowners' Union asked the Wellington Shearers' Industrial Union of Workers for a new award. At the outset it was fpointed out that a satisfactory settlement would form the j basis of a Dominion agreement, and would be ratified by the various industrial districts as the award. ' ■ There was considerable argument as to whether., the shearers' representatives would make a proposal as to the hourly rate to be paid to shed hands. Mr. Grayndler said he had discussed the question, and had come to the conclusion that the rate should be 2s Id per hour, but should not on the average be lower than the minimum weekly rate throughout the shearing season. He claimed the sheepowners could afford to pay double the pre-war rates. Mr. McLeod said his side could not admit right away the statement that £.4 a week was a living wage. There were thousands in New . Zealand living on less. Whereas in 1914 it cost £2 to shear luO sheep, the cost to-day was £4 10s. Mr. Cook said the sheepowners had ! granted the shearers a living wage, but objected to pay it to tho other section. The average shearer shore 600 sheep a week, and on the agreed rates of pay he would thus receive £9 a week, and yet the employers objected to pay the shedhands a living wage. The conference adjourned till to-morrow, when the sheepowners will submit their proposals.