The Shearing Dispute
Pittsworth Conference
Considerable interest not unmixed with
anxiety has been manifested as to the conference of the
above which was appointed to be held at Pittsworth
yesterday.
The stockowners were represented by
Messers F. A. Gore, G. G. Gory and E. D. Hodgson, whilst
the shearers appointed as their representatives Messers
August E. Stumm, Colin McIntyre and Christy Clark.
The meeting was held at Messers Kennard and Co. office. All
the representatives were in attendance and seem to have
entered heartily into the work expected of them.
Agreement Signed
An agreement was drawn out very fairly
setting forth conditions to be observed by owners and
shearers in all shearing sheds.
This agreement we append. It was signed by all members of
the conference, and it is to be printed and distributed and
distributed to all the various stations and centres of
population.
All present at the conference regarded it as the most
satisfactory meeting possible. An amicable feeling was
manifested by all the representatives and it is now
confidently anticipated that, the agreement will prevent
any disputes for many years to come.
Shed Rules
Shearing agreement made and entered into this 13th Day of
June, between Messers G. G. Gory, E. D. Hodgson and F. A.
Gore, of the Sheep owners Association of the Darling Downs on
the one part, and Messers C. McIntyre, A. Stumm and C. Clark
of the Queensland Shearers Union on the other part, as
follows:-
(1) Any shearer being discharged during shearing (except in
case of sickness) shall be charged one pound sterling per
week for cook and mess account, which money shall be placed
to credit of general mess account.
(2) Any man getting drunk or being absent from the shed
(except in case of sickness) without leave from the overseer
to be subject to dismissal.
(3) No shearer shall be allowed to kick, or otherwise injure
or ill use any sheep, and in case he seriously injure or ill
use any sheep, or cut the teat off any ewe or pizzle off any
wether or ram, he shall forfeit or pay unto the said
sheep-owner the mess rate for such sheep so injured, and if
such sheep be fit for food to go to the shearers' mess
account, the sheep-owner having the right to refuse the fine
and keep the sheep.
(4) All ewes to be carried, and all wethers and rams to be
kept on their feet from the catching pen to the shearing
floor.
(5) No smoking allowed except at stated intervals.
(6) No swearing or profane language or singing allowed during
working hours.
(7) Working hours to be mutually agreed on.
(8) Belly wool to be taken off first and placed aside, and in
opening fleece at the neck, shears to be kept under the wool
and close to the skin, so as to avoid twice cutting, and
shearers shall not be allowed to run the shears through the
fleece so as to break it down the centre or back, and shall
not stand on the fleece.
(9) All rams to be paid for as 2 to 1 (lambs under 8 months
to be counted 1 for 1.") This to be submitted to the Blackall
meeting for confirmation the shearers delegates agreeing.
(10) Shearers cutting or wounding sheep must put on the
dressing provided for the purpose at once and in a proper
manner.
(11) Any shearer not shearing to the satisfaction of the
owner may be discharged.
(12) No barrowing allowed in the shed.
(13) No persons other than those employed in the shed to be
allowed in the shed without the special permission of the
overseer.
(14) Tallies must be posted up in the shed every morning for
the day preceeding, when objection must be made, as none will
be recognised thereafter.
(15) Employers shall select their own shearers.
(16) No sheep to be stopped for bad shearing other than under
Rule 3.
Signed: Colin McINTYRE, August E. STUMM, Christy CLARKE; (
Shearers Union) - G. G. GORRY, Francis A. GORE, E. D.
HODGSON; (Sheep Owners)
