THE N.Z. SHEEP-OWNERS AND FARMERS' FFDERATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 16

THE N.Z. SHEEP-OWNERS AND FARMERS' FFDERATION.

Tl.o above federation, formed in 1910. was, and i.s now, composed of eheep-ownors’ unions representing Otago and Southland, Canterbury, Marlborough. 'Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Poverty Bay districts. Tiic objects of the federation include tho establishment of a Dominion organisation composed of unions and associations of sheep-owners and farmers to promulgate a general policy to unite for amicable settlement of labour disputes, and to take joint action in respect of legislation affecting the interests of farmers and pastoralists. The federation represented sheep-owners before irhs' Arbitration Court in 1910, when awards wore made covering the various districts for shearers, shed hands, and mnsterers. This year the federation lias been called upon to represent the country employers in tho shearing dispute. A conference between delegates representing the council of the federation and the New Zealand Shearers and Woolshed Employees’ Association was held at Wellington on 4th June last to discuss the demands of the shearers for increased wages and better conditions generally. After a discussion hasting about two and a-half hours no decision was arrived at, and the conference was declared at an end. Subsequently negotiations were continued, and on the 11th inst. an agreement was signed by the representatives

of the two bodies for £1 per 100 all round for machine, blade, and lamb shearing. The agreement covers this and the next three seasons. The shearing awards for Canterbury, Wellington, and Hawke’s Bay districts expire on 24th September, 1913. A photograph of the delegates will be found among our illustrations.