TROUBLE WITH SHEARERS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11510, 5 October 1915, Page 5

TROUBLE WITH SHEARERS

THREATENS J^WAIRARAPA. (By Telegraph—Special to the " Star.") MA&TERTOX, October 5. It is reporter] that there is a probaabi.ity of trouble with shearers this season. It is stated that the shearers in this district intend to demand i'ss per 100 sheep, with rams and stud f-heep according to terms of award. It is (stated that the advance in rates is due to the increased cost of living brought about by the war and to tlx? prosperity of the industry. A meeting to disfouss the matter will be held by the shearers next Saturday, when the whole question will be gone into and a decision arrived at. One shearer informed a '"Star" correspondent that shearers generally were determined to stick out for an increased rate. He thought that there wouid probably be trouble over the matter, 'as some of the sheepowuers were sure to kick. Mr E. Hunter, rice-president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Workers' Union, expresses the opinion that the same law which allowed people to sell commodities at a eons : clorab'e increase in price just now was coming into operation in regard to the onlv commodity the working man had—-'his labour. He had been adv'sed that at Home a similar condition of affairs had existed, and the demands of those engaged in rural work, such as shearing, had been granted. One station-holder spoken to stated that the war hnd resulted in a, scarcity of shearers, and that he anticipated a tfcry serious position being brought about by the proposed increase. Some of the woo! 9,rowers would, he thought, be agreeable to pay the extra price on account of the high rates ruling for wool. Others, again, would probably be found to be antagonistic to it.