THE SHEARING DISPUTE IN CANTERBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 8

THE SHEARING DISPUTE IN CANTERBURY.

STATEMENT OF THE PRESENT POSITION.

Three years ago the Canterbury Shearers' Union cited a large number of the sheep owners of Canterbury in the Arbitration Court to comply with certain demands. The sheep owners resisted these, but when the dispute was introduced into court the matter was, at the suggestion of Mr Justice Cooper, discussed privately by the representatives of tho two unions, and ultimately an agreement was arrived at which was subsequently made an award of the Arbitration Court. This award expired in July last, and the two unions again met in conference to eeo if they could agrc-o tip on a new award. The wages under the old award were 15s 6d for machine and 16s 8d for hand-shearing, with some provision for extra pay in regard to dagging clone. The shearers asked 20s for a new •agreement, but the sheep owners would not listen to this, and the delegates parted without doing anything. The shearers have now taken their case to tho Arbitration Court. Their demands are as under : Industrial agreement proposed to bs observed in the Canterbury industrial district between the Canterbury Shearers' Industrial Union of Workers and the Sheep Owners' Union. I. That the shearer shall shear with all reasonable despatch all the sheep that the employer or his agent shall require him to shear, as shall be agreed upon before the commenoeinent of tho slieaiing, in good tinie and workmanlike manner, and to satisfaction of the employer or his agent. '2. The hours of working to be from 5.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on five days per week. Work to cease on Saturday at 12 o'clock noon. The following to be observed on five days par veek, Monday to Friday: Start work 5.30 a.m., cease work 7 o'clock, breakfast, one hour, start work 8 o'clock, cease work 9.45, lunch half an hour; start work 10.15, cease work 12 o'clock, dinner one hour; start work 1 o'clock, cease work 2.20, smoke-ok 20 minutes ; start work 2.40, cease work 4 o'clock, lunch half an hour ; start work 4.30, knock off 5.30 p.m. On Saturdays: Start work 5.30 a.m., cease work 7 o'clock, breakfast one hour; start work 8 o'clock, cease work 9.45, lunch half an hour; ■start work 10.15, knock off 12 o'clock — making a totel of 48 hours and 20 minutes per week. 3. That the price for shearing flock sheep bo at the rato of £1 per hundred, with rations as stipulated. 4. That the price for shearing rams six months old and over be double rate, othor stud sheep three for two. 5. That Ihe employer pay on demand 75 per cent, of wages earned. 6. That exchange be added to all cheques and orders. 7. That all sheep shorn be paid for in full. 8. That n.-> shearer bo compelled to shear wet sheep or cancered sheep. 9. That ihe .employer shall have full* 1 control of his shearing i- pe rations except in matters provided for in this agreement. 10. That no shearer enter a catching pen after the bell rings. 11. That a representative be elected by the sb-carers, such representative and the person in charge of the shed to be the responsible persons to settle disputes. That in the evsnt of any dispute arising as to wet sheep the shod representative to take a vote of 111© shearers, the majority to rale. 12. Thac all sheep be taken carefully frorj. ihe catching pen, and that no shearer be compelled to cany sheep out. 13. That the employer finds free grazing for cue horse for each sheaier. 14. That -fhf. employer finds, free of cost, one good grindstone to .every eight or part of eight shearers. 15. That in sheds where machines are tis-jd tli€ employer shall find the necessary mac'iilifery and oi', tho shearer to pay for combs and cutters at cost price. 16. That the sheep owner supply the following list of lations : — Tea, coffee, white-s ugar, ficmr, rice, sago, currants, raisins, fine salt, pepper, mustard, vinegar, butter potatoes, mions. nmttrn or beef, baking powder, cream of tartar, carbonate of soda,, ■hops, dried apples, curry powder, oatmeal ; the same to be cooked in a wholesome manner, and served in sufficient quantity 17. That the dining room be sufficiently lighted each evening till 9 o'clock p.m. 18. No obscene language to be allowed in the shed. 19. Any person absenting himself from work without leave, or without proper reasonable gicunds, or found bringing on -o the station, may be treated! by the employer a? having committed a breach of agreement. 20. That preference shall be given to unionists. 21. In case the shearer turns out a sheep badly cut or insufficiently tared he shall at enca sew and tar such wounds in his pen. or otherwise treat or dress such sheep as directed by the person in charge of the shed; but no shearer shali be required to tar Ms sheep in other case. 22. The shearer shall not be allowed to kick or otherwise injure or illuse any sheep, ai.d in case li- seriously injure any sliee-p or cut the teat of any ewe or pizzle of any wether or ram, lie shall immediately repoit same to the person in charge of the shed. 23. Where harrowing is allowed, the man who shears the sheep shall roll up the fleece and sweep the board, and no sheep so shorn shall be counted to any shearer. 24. Where the sheep owner engages a contract cook, provisions of clause 16 shall apply Though anxious to preserve a conciliatory spirit as far as possible, the Sheep Owners' Union feel that under the circumstances they have no option but to follow the course taken by their Otago brethren some 12 months ago, and fight the matter out before the court. A special committee has been dealing with tho matter for some time, and has now finally resolved upon a course to bo taken. The representatives of the wool growers in the Arbitration Court have been selected, and jire — Mossrs Duncan, Rutherford (Leslie Hills Station, .Amuri), C. E. Calcutt (stock salesman, Christchurch), ancl Tho Tins Teschemakcr (Otaio Station, South Canterbury). It is doubtful when the case will be heard, but meantime great interest is attached to it.