SHEEPOWNERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 11

SHEEPOWNERS' UNION.

The annual meeting of members of the Otago and Southland Shipowners' Industrial Union of Employers was held at the registered office of the union (Messrs Pram, Mitchell, and Oo.'s) on Thursday morning. There was a good attendance. - Mr P. Patullo presided, in the absence of tho president and vice-president. The annual report was adopted, as follows : — Your committee begs to present the second annual report and balance sheet. You will note that credit per balance sheet stands at £52 16s- sd, but providing for secretary's salary (JBS) up to 31st May the actual credit at that date will stand at £i 7 16s sd. We have £125 on fixed deposit with the National Bank, thus our amount of credit is £172 16a 5d at 31st May, ISOS. There are no liabilities. Arbitration Court Award: In August, 1904, the shearers' dispute .was heard before his Honor Mr Justice Chapman and Messrs Brown and Slater, and after a sitting extending over three days an award was given which) was fully printed and distributed to all members, and so far the working under the award has apparently been satisfactory, as no complaints have been received by your executive. The expenses of witnesses were paid out of the funds of the union. Finance: Your executive last year considered that no further subscriptions would be necessary in the meantime, but that matter is really provided for in the rules, and will now rest with the incoming executive to decide whether further subscriptions can be dispensed with until ' the rules have been altered. Sheepstealing: This question was mentioned several times during the past year, and the Government has promised to do something towards tfis evil, but so far nothing has apparently been done. Our Canterbury friends paid some rewards last year for convictions, and it might be well for us to take the matter up in some such manner. General : Your executive in retiring feels satisfied with the general work of the union during the past year. A very long .and careful discussion took place in connection with the recent report as to an increase in the rate for shearing, and after very earnest consideration it was resolved that the evidence before the meeting goes to prove that no such general arrangement as suggested had ever been contemplated, and that the report was quite unauthorised. It was further resolved that the award, as laid down by the Arbitration Court, be adhered to. The officers and committee of the previous year were all re-elected, with the addition' of Mr Robert Scott (Kyeburn) in place of the late Mr Thomas Brydone.