SHEARERS’ APPEALS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9639, 20 April 1917, Page 2

SHEARERS’ APPEALS

THREE EXEMPTIONS GRANTED UNION SECRETARY SEEKS ADVICE. Mr C. Grayndler (secretary to the New Zealand Agricultural and Pastoral Workers' Union) appealed on behalf of Dennis O'Connor, Win. Henrv Sheather, and Michael Maloney (shearers). The chairman (Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M.) said that the appeals should really be disposed of by the bounds where the men were now employed. They had had cases that looked really good °n paper, but when the men came before tho board tbe cases . collapsed. They didn't doubt Mr Grayndler's "bona tides,” but that had been their experience. Mr Grayndler said that he understood that No. 1 Board had agreed that wherever the shearers happened to be in the Wellington district when drawn in the ballot they could be heard by the Wellington Board. Shearers had no The men gave evidence and undertook to remain in their present work and their cases were adjourned, without date fixed, so long as they remain at shearing work. Mr Grayndler asked the direction of tho board a s to what should be the procedure in future cases. One man bad come from the back country in Patea. where labour was very scarce, to appear before the board; and it meant loss of time as well as considerable expense. Tho chairman said that there was no need for a personal appearance, if a letter was produced from the man's employer, or a statutory declaration, that the" man was engaged in shearing. It was quite easy to prove a case without tho men appearing.