SHEARERS’ UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7872, 7 August 1911, Page 2

SHEARERS’ UNION

PROCEEDINGS OF CONFERENCE.

At the Shearers’ Conference, sitting in Wellington, tho numerical strength of tho union was reported as follows. Canterbury 1120 members, Wellington 974, Otago 759, Marlborough 450, Gisborne and East Coast 286; total, 3589.

SHEARING RATE. The following remit was sent in by the Canterbury branch:—That a manifesto bo issued to members from conference : That the union rate for all shearing be £1 per 100, and that this price bo strictly adhered to. After a lengthy discussion it was unanimously resolved by conference that the general secretary be instructed to seek legal advice from Mr O’Regan, solicitor, Wellington, ro the issuing of a manifesto stating that the conference of shearers’ delegates pledged itself unanimously not to become workers within the meaning of the Arbitration Act at less than 20s per 100 for shearing, and strongly urged all members of the association not to become workers under the shearers’ award and tho Arbitration Act at less than 20s per 100 during tho coming season. It was urged that inasmuch as no shearing was being done now, the members of the association wore not “workers ” within the meaning of the Act. In order to be “ workers ” within tho moaning of the Act, members must bo actually employed in the industry at the particular time when they were considered to ho “ workers ”; and that, therefore, by issuing such a manifesto before shearing operations commenced, tho association was not acting in contravention of the “strike clanses ” of the Act and of the shearers’ award.

At a later stage Mr O’Regan’s letter of advice was received, expressing the opinion that the association’s contentions in this respect wore sound in law, i. 0., that obviously there could be no discontinuance of employment till the employment had commenced; no breach of contract of service, because at present no contract of service existed ; and, therefore, it was obvious that at present (out of shearing season) no unlawful strike of shearers could, take place. So long' as tho union did not in its manifesto counsel a discontinuance of shearing after shearing had actually commenced, it was on safe legal ground. It was resolved to recommend that members should endeavour to obtain a minimum rate for crutching of 4s per 100, NEWSPAPER BOARD. In regard ,to the " Maoriland Worker,” the conference decided: “That the shearers ask for equal representation on tho newspaper board and four members on the executive of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, and that the contribution to the federation from the Shearers’ Association he reduced to Is per year per member.” Subsequently it was announced by the, federation delegates that it had been agreed that the representation offered to the shearers should be increased to three members on the federation executive, and two members on the newspaper hoard. This would be th'e recommendation of the delegates to the various unions, and the unions would be asked to ratify this. The delegates had no doubt at all, . however, that the unions would ratify the recommendations, that the matter could be as virtually settled. As to the reduction of the contribution of 2s per year to Is per year, they would have to consult the unions in the federation, and_ he guided by tho ruling of the majority; it_ would take about three weeks to obtain this’decision, and it would then be communicated to the shearers. . MINERS AND SHEARERS. A resolution previously passed to secede from tho Federation of Labour was rescinded, and the following carried: “That instead of a plebiscite being taken on the question of secession from the Federation of Labour, a plebiscite bo taken in shearing season to ascertain if the members of the association approve of the policy and general conduct of tho ‘Maoriland Worker ’ or otherwise, and that this conference decides that the present subscription of 10s for shearers and Ss for shod hands will not allow tho association paying more than Is per member per annum to the Federation of Labour.”

The motion was discussed at length by the various delegates. It was agreed that there was no “ split ” at all between tho miners and shearers, and that the differences of opinion that existed related _ merely to the amount of the contribution, and to the methods of expounding the policy of the paper and its general Tone. If these matters could he settled satisfactorily there was no need to take a plebiscite; otherwise the plebiscite must he taken. The executive of the Shearers’ Association was entitled to decide this matter under the rules, being guided by the expressed wishes of conference. The federation delegates expressed their approval of the stand taken_ by the shearers, as they considered this would be better understood by the workers generally than the one adopted by the conference the previous day. They did not want the idea to get abroad that industrially the shearers and miners were not united. OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted:—' President, Mr A- J. King; vice-presi-dents, Messrs Boon, Townsend, and Morgan. Mr C. McLaren was elected as general returning officer; trustees, Messrs Townsend and C. Johnston: _ finance committee, Messrs Purvis, King, aud Fitzgerald; representatives on Federation of Labour executive, Messrs King, W. Johnstone, and Lara’cy; representatives on newspaper board, Messrs C. Johnston and Laracy. ■ GENERAL.

It was resolved that Mr Laracy bo appointed general organising secretary at a remuneration of £4 10s per week, with permission to render what assistance he conld in regard to getting advertisements for tho “Maoriland Worker,” and to _ procure at his own expense such clerical assistance as he needed when absent from Christchurch, and that the head office of the Shearers’ Association be in Christchurch. The next conference is to held at tho usual time (April) in Wellington. A protest against clause 2 of the Bov Scouts’ law, which states that all scouts must bo loyal to their employers at all times, was embodied in a resolution. Representations aro to be made with a view of having a bathroom at each shed with one bath for every ten men or part of ten men. with hot and cold water laid on, provision for such to be made in the Shearers’ Accommodation Act. Further, that the Health Department be asked to see that clean water is provided.