SHEARING RATES.

Wairarapa Age, 20 August 1929, Page 5

SHEARING RATES.

PAY FOR THE COMING SEASON. DECREASE OF SHILLING. Advice of the rates of pay for shearers and shed hands for the coming season has been received by Mr. James Watson, Wairarapa Provincial Secretary of the Farmers’ Union, from the New Zealand Sheepowners’ and Farmers’ Federation. The Federation, in its covering letter, states that it has received an official statement from the Government Statistician, showing a reduction in the index number from last year to 1700. On that basis, the rates for the 1929-30 season are as follow, those for the previous year being given in parentheses where different:— Shearers.—(a) By hand, not less than 29s per 100, with rations (305.). (b) By machines, 295. with rations (30s). (c) lambs, 295, with rations (3Os); (d) in cases where the shearers find themselves in rations these rates shall be increased by 5s per 100. (e) The rate for stud sheep shall be settled by agreement between the employer and the shearer employed to do the work; (f) for shearing hogget rams, rate and a half, and for other rams, double ordinary rates. ‘Shed-hands.—>(a) Pressers, by the week, £3 14s 6d; by the hour, 2s l|d (£3 17s 6d; 2s 2}d). (b) All other shed hands, by the week, £3 9s 6d, by the hour Is Hid (£3 12s 6d; 2s Ojd). Youths.—Over 16 years and under 18, by the week, £2 T2s 6d; by the hour, Is Bd. Cooks.—For 12 men or under, £4 4s 6d per week (£4 7s 6d). Where over twelve men are employed the wages shall be by agreement between the employer and the worker, but not in any case less than the said minimum of £4 4s 6d per week. Cook’s assistants.—£3 14s 6d per week (£3 17s 6d).