SHEEPOWNERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3125, 23 January 1911, Page 4

SHEEPOWNERS’ UNION.

ANNUAL AIEETING

The annual general meeting of the Poverty Bay and East Coast Sheepowners’ Union of Employers was held on Saturday afternoon in the oihee or tlie secretary, Air. F. H. Lawton. Ihe meeting was of a private nature, and a “Times” reporter was subsequently supplied with a resume of the proceedings. The annual report and balance-sheet were read and adopted, and amongstother matters in the former, it was stated that the membership roll had reached a total of 166, which number includes the principal sbeepowners or the district. During the year eight meetings of committee were held, and three ordinary meetings. The President attended as delegate to the conference at Christchurch on March 11, when it was decided to form the New Zealand Sbeepowners and Farmers’ Federation, in order that the different Sbeepowners’ Unions throughout the country should have a central body to advise and act for them in all matters pertaining to their interest throughout; the Dominion. The President, with Alessrs T. Holden and E. V. Palmer were the three members chosen to represent the local Union. Messrs AV. R. Barker and AV. F. Cederwall attended as delegates to the Federation at Christchurch on March 31st, when shearing conditions and rates of nay were under discussion. The Union was cited by the sliearers, and Messrs "NY. G. Slierratt, C. H. AVilliams, and AY. E- Griffin were appointed assessors _on behalf of the Union. The Conciliation Council heard the dispute on November 30th, but no agreement was reached on the vital question of rates'of pay, hours of work, etc., although some minor demands were agreed to and others deleted. The Union’s assessors refused to discuss the demands of the shed hands. Shearing returns have been sent out to members, and it is lioped that they will fill in the required information and return to the secretary as soon as possible. The election of officers for the yoar resulted in the re-election of Alessrs H. B. AA'illiams (president), Chas. Gray (vice-president), and all the old committee. . Air. L. T. Symes was again elected auditor, and the passing of votes of thanks to him, the officers and the committee completed the business of the meeting.