THE SHEARERS’ DISPUTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2139, 14 March 1908, Page 2

THE SHEARERS’ DISPUTE.

AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT.

v Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 13. Tho Conciliation Board met to-day to consider tho Board’s draft agreement in tho shearers’ dispute, lhe agreement, which was the outcome of tho recent conference at Palmerston, was adopted with a slight alteration. The employers were represented by Mr. J. C. Cooper (of the Farmers Union), and the shearers by Mr. Abbott (secretary of the Shearers Union). n The chairman of tho Board, Mr. 1. J. O’Regan, congratulated the parties on the .result of the conference, and said that it was quite clear, that where there was a mutual desire for agreement a settlement was possible of attainment, and it was only fair to make public that alter the conference had sat at Palmerston North the good offices of the labor members of the Board had been used to induce the members of the shearers’ union to accent the agreement arrived at. Speaking on behalf of the employers, Mr. Cooper said that,. the recent conference was an exceedingly aniicablo one, and for liis own part he did not wish to meet hotter men than the shearers representatives. He wished to thank the members of the Board for the services they had rendered. Mr. Abbott said the result of the conference was a triumph lor the principle of meeting in conference to settle disputes. The Board’s recommendations, winch will he given the same effect as an award, will probably be filed to-mor-row.