SHEARERS' UNION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9710, 4 February 1910, Page 5

SHEARERS' UNION.

OPERATIONS IN HAWKE'S BAY AND WAIROA. A VISIT OF INSPECTION. Mr E. W. Abbott, Secretary of the New Zealand , Federated Shearers' Union, who has been on a month's business visit to Northern Hawke's Bay and Gisborne districts, returned to Masterton yesterday. Interviewed by a representative of the Wairarapa Age last evening, Mr Abbott stated that he found]in"quite a number of instances that the award was being evaded, principally in the price for lamb shearing. Some thirty owners in Wairoa were paying £1 per 100, without rations, instead o£ 22a 6d. A nunjber of owners, after the secretary had acquainted them with the position, readily agreed to pay the difference; but others again refused to move, preferring to see the matter decided by a test case. "I found that the accommodation in this district," said Mr Abbott "was being; administered in a very lax manner, and, I understand, that the Inspector of Factories will leave Napier in the morning to make a thorough investigation. It is more than probable that a number of prosecutions will follow."

Asked as to the progress of the Union in that district Mr Abbott stated that Mr Hawkins, the Maori organiser, was at present working Gisborne on behalf of the Gisborne branch, and had met with a considerable amount of success. "I should like to express ray thanks," said the secretary, "to the numerous pastoralists for their kindness and hospitality. Dnrv'g my travels I was well received everywhere, a fact which I very much appn-eiate As a result of my trip the ranks of the Union will be vety much strengthened."