WOOL CLIP LIMITATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19804, 5 December 1938, Page 15

WOOL CLIP LIMITATION

SHEARERS’ BALLOT AUSTRALIAN PROPOSAL SYDNEY, Nov. 23. For the first time in the history of the pastoral industry, employees are conducting a Commonwealth-wide ballot on the question whether there should be a limitation on their output next shearing season. It was pointed out last night that, if such a proposal was enforced, graziers would have to meet heavy additional costs, and shearing operations would be seriously disorganised. Doubt was expressed whether in New South Wales, where 55,000,000 sheep have to be shorn in four months, there would be sufficient men to complete the work.-

The plebiscite now being taken was authorised at the last annual convention of the Australian Workers’ Union, which is the governing body of the .40,000 shearers in Australia. The ballot will conclude on December 15, and will be announced early next year. The object of the limitation proposal is to enable the slow working shearer to increase his output, and to provide additional employment in the industry.

At present, fast working shearers can shear from 150 to 200 sheep a day. The shearing rate is 35s a 100, which was fixed by the Arbitration Court on the basis of 500 sheep a week of 51 days for 12 weeks.

Arguments used in favour of a restriction of output: are .that shearing would be less onerous, more wool would be got from each sheep ,and the animals would be less damaged.

Graziers’ Opposition

One point of criticism levelled at the proposal last night was that the ballot was not restricted to the shearers, but that shed hands, who would benefit by a prolongation of shearing operations, were also participating.

Il' the ballot results in an affirmative vote it is expected that the proposal will be referred to the Arbitration Court for settlement before the next shearing season. It was stated last night that the move would be vigorously opposed by grazing interests. The general secretary of the Graziers’ Association, Mr. J. W. Allen, said last night that a new award had been made recently to cover conditions in the industry for the next five years.

“When U\e A.W.U. put its cleams before the Federal Arbitration Court it made no mention of this matter,” said Mr. Allen.