Shearing Trouble.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6899, 10 February 1894, Page 2

Shearing Trouble.

Sydney, Feb. 9. The Shearers Conference contend that the pastoralists committed a breach of agree* ment through tbeir system m engaging shearcrß. It is stated that the Shearers Union fund amounts to £11, 000. Feb. 10. — The pastoralists state that there has been no alteration m the system of engaging shearers since last conference, which affirms freedom of contract. No.information has been officially received regarding the action of the Shearers Conference, therefore nothing can be done by pastoralists pending further developments. In the course of an interview the Presi« dent of the Shearers Conference asserted the shearers were required to pay a deposit of £1 Is, and submit references from previous employers, as a condition for securing en* gagement. He accused employers of sending down confidential reports, which he believed was an attempt to place on the black list men taking a prominent part m protecting the interests of their fellows. What the conference wanted was direct engagement between shearers and sheepowners. No objec tion, he said, was raised to working with non-Union men. The conference decided to amalgamate the Shearers' Union with the general Labor Union. It is also expected that ail bush Unions m Queensland will be amalgamated. A general union of all bush organisations throughout the colonies takes place shortly.