SHEARERS' CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7870, 4 August 1911, Page 1

SHEARERS' CONFERENCE

THIRD AINU XTAL MEETING. Til© New Zealand Shearers' Union haa been holding its third annual oonferoncii in Wellington this week. It opened on Monday, and. will probably conclude today.

The representatives present aro Mr A. J. King (president); Canterbury, Messrs Purvis, G. Johnston, and Boon; Otago, Messrs W. Johnston and Stewart; Wellington, ' Messrs Nicholson, Cooper, and McLeod; Miarlborongh, Mr Townsend; Poverty Bay, Mr Morgan (representing the Maori shearers); Mr M. Laracy (general secretary). The agenda paper is particularly l lengthy, and most of the important questions have yet to be finally settled. The position of the shearers in regard to the "Maoriland Worker" was fully discussed.

Delegates from the New Zealand; Federation of Labour wore welcomed, and the position with respect to. the shearers joining this > federation-con-sidered. The .representation to be given to the shearers will be decided to-day. A proposal to cancel the registration of the Shearers' Union under the Arbitration Act was negatived, with one dissentient vote.

The shearing rate for the ensuing sea,. : son was fully discussed, and it was snggested that a manifesto should be sent out to members by the executive on the question. Legal opinion as to the practioabilitv, of this proposal is to bo sought. ■ DEPUTATION TO TUB MINISTER. A deputation, .consisting of Messrs King, McLeod, and Toivnscnd, waited upon _ the Minister, of Labour yesterday morning and placed- the desires, of the shearers in the’ matter of accommodation before him. ; The Minister suggested : that the deputation get a copy of the Queensland Shearers' Accommodation; Act. , and show him if it were suitable to New Zealand. . Ho also suggested 1 that the deputation' should make any altera- , tions in this Act they considered necessary, with any additions, and then submit the matter to him again. .A sub-, committee was appointed to go into thy ' question and report further.