THE SHEARERS’ AWARD

Southland Times, Issue 19330, 15 September 1921, Page 5

THE SHEARERS’ AWARD

REFUSAL OF ENGAGEMENTS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 14. The executive of the New Zealand Workers’ Union has advised Mr C. Grayndler (General Secretary) to notify all shearers and shed hands to refrain from making engagements under the Arbitration Court’s recent shearers’ award. It is understood that shearers cannot be compelled to leave their winter employment. In the course of a statement made to the press, Mr Grayndler said the attitude of the shearers would affect the whole of New Zealand. The shearing industry could not afford to be held up for a fortnight. If the present determination of the shearers lasted a month sheep-owners would be compelled to capitulate. Several sheep farmers when interviewed, said the attitude of the shearers was not altogether unexpected, but farmers would help themselves and each other and pull through the crisis. SUFFICIENT LABOUR EXPECTED CHRISTCHURCH, September 14. ‘ Present indications all point to the conclurion that sheepowners, speaking generally, will have no difficulty in obtaining all the labour required,” said Mr Nicholson, secretary of the Canterbury Sheepowners’ Union to-day. “Applications for shearing are coming in freely, and those shearers I have come in contact with since the award was made have almost without exception expressed their satisfaction at the Court’s decision in this case.” WARNING TO AUSTRALIAN SHEARERS SYDNEY, September 14. (Received September 14, 9.15 p.m.) The Australian Workers’ Union has issued a warning to shearers against going to New Zealand, as there is certain to be trouble there through the action of the Arbitration Court in reducing wages in the shearing industry.