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New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8192, 28 September 1887, Page 5

The vexatious dispute between the squatters and shearers has been lightened by a little sensationalism, as will be seen from our Adelaide news of to-cTay (says the Sydney Echo of August 30.) It appears that at a meeting of the stockholders of the West Coast and Gawlar Ranges, a novel scheme was urged whereby to checkmate the tactics of the Shearers’ Union. The is neither more nor less than a combination of stockholders throughout the Australasian Colonies to import for the shearing seasons sufficient number of Kaffir shearers, who would arrive and commence .operations at the most northerly sheds in June, and finish off and take their departure in January following. When it is understood that the stockholders discussed this proposal in full knowledge that Eaflir shearing is women’s work, their happy and enlightened point of view may be properly appreciated! Now, everybody must admit that the stockholders of these colonies have been exasperated not a little since the commencement of the present shearing season. As a matter of fact, a good deal of public sympathy has been felt for them in their straits between unreasonable shearers and pressing bankers. A good deal of allowance must therefore Jbe made for any extravagances of a harmless nature in which it may please them to indulge. But if this proposal to import Kaffir shearers should prove to be anything more serious than a senseless threat, they will speedily find all public sympathy on the aide of the Shearers’ Union. If Australian squatters cannot hold their own on fair and manly lines, they will hardly succeed by such a a degrading expedient as that of calling women shearers to their aid.