SHEARERS AND SHEDHAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16514, 26 August 1921, Page 2

SHEARERS AND SHEDHAND.

*JXW AWARD SOUGHT. (Per Press As. 3 ''"“Tation .) August 26* Tho dcmauds of tbo New Zealand Shearers’ and Shed Hands’ Union tor a revision of wages and working conditions is being considered by the Arbitration Court to-day. The matters in dispute have already boou partially considered by tho Court at Dunedin and Christchurch, but no pronouncement has yet been made. As a result of the present delil>erntious, however, the Court will give a decision in the form of a Dominion award. Mr Grayndlcr, for the union, said that at tho most, Tor only two years the shearer had received 33 per cent increase on the 190 S figures, while the employers’ income hnd increased by over 100 per ceut on an and this while the cost of living bad lumped aomewherc near 80 p^r •amt. Demands and counter proposals wage*, etc*., are as follow, the employers’ proposals being given in parenthesis:—Shearing by hand £1 os per 100 with rations (£1 with rations) by machine £1 los per 100 (£1), lambs £1 Ida per 100 (£1), allowance of 0s per 100 'io be made in cases where men find themselves in rations (4s); rate for s*ud sheep to be determined between <mip!oyer ?tnd shearer; shearing rams over six months -and double fleeced sheep double ordinary rates (hogget rams rat© and a half, other rams double rates). The union claimed a 4*l hourß week, to b© worked between the hours of 7.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., with two breaks of half au hour and one of on hour ?!»om Monday to Friday, inclusive, and from 7.30 a.m. to noon with half an hour llreak on Saturday. The employers proposed that the hours of shearing should be from o a.m. to o p.m., with Intervals to be agreed upon, that shearing should stop at 4 p.m. on Saturdays, except when 48 hours and twenty rainOtes’ work had beeu done before noon. In several respects the proposals and counter proposals were much the same. The union proposed that the award should come into force from September 1, 1921, and continue in force until February 28, 1923, but the employers asked that the award should continue till February 28, 1924. The employers’ case was opened by Mr Nicholson, who said that the employers, in view of the special rates given in times of normal conditions, now felt justified in asking for a substantial reduction in the rates under present circumstances, for the industry was not in a position to pay those rates which bad been the rule during the commandeer period. Unless substantial improvement took place the majority of sheopfarmers must soon become bankrupt. The primary producer was of necessity the first to feel the effect of a drop in prices, and it was only natural that the labour employed must be affected in sympathy. “Wo unfortunately have reached a position in the sheep industry that has no parallel in the history of the Dominion,” ho said, ‘‘and no useful purpose cun be gained by camouflaging the position. The money is not there and is not procurable from the produce in sufficient quantity to pay the rates that were made possible only by the high prices received during the commandeer period, and it is absolutely necessary that shearers and shod hands with other workers must bear their share of the burden that is thrown on tho county by the disastrous drop in values of fcw>o] and live stock.” Proceeding in detail Mr Nicholson said a large number or shearers had called on him, expressing satisfaction with the terms offered by the sheepowners, which they regarded as fair and reasonable in view of the prices of wool and stock. The increase asked for all workers would mean an additional £150,000 in wages yearly. It was evident that sheepowners could not fact such a bill to-day. The ease for the union was of a negative character. In no instance had real justification for the demands been shown Evidence was given by several sheepfarmers, who corroborated tho opening statements of Mr Nicholson. It was stated that the average price of wool in ’Wellington district now was 3sd per ll>. Tho witnesses disclaimed any knowledge until they came to Wellington that the shearers desired shorter hours. The Court reserved its decision.