SHEARERS AGREE TO WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17890, 19 September 1921, Page 4

SHEARERS AGREE TO WORK.

LOWER WAGES ACCEPTED.

POSITION IN CANTERBURY. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHKISTCHURCH. Saturday. Several station owners in North Canterbury state that they have booked shearers at the reduced rates laid down by the Arbitration Court In one instance some of the men, before the Court's decision was announced, signed agreements to work at the rates to be laid down by the Court, and actually lodged a deposit of £1 in teach case, which will be forfeited if they do not appear. The paying of this amount as "earnest." money is rather a new development." It was stated to be the practice in Australia and the system was often adopted in Canterbury before the war. It was then discontinued in Canterbury. "The fact that it has been voluntarily revived by the men," said the stationowner concerned, "is a striking illustration of the men's recognition that the conditions relating to the supply of labour have changed." He added that within the past few days he had completed the tilling of vacancies in his shed. These extra men accompanied their applications with earnest money. Another farmer said he could have secured labour in excess of that actuallv required. J

"TIME TO MAKE SACRIFICE."

MAORI SHEARERS 1 DECISION. [BX TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION ] HASTINGS, Saturday. At a large representative meeting of Maori shearers held this morning the shearing position was fully discussed and the following resolution was carried unanimously :_" That the time has arrived when all classes should make a sacrifice and as the finding of the Arbitration Court is the law of New Zealand, we. as law-abiding citizens, should observe the law and go to work at award rates in accordance with the promise alreadv given We advise all loyal Maori and' pakeha shearers to do the same " *"»*«*<»