Text Source: Hoch, Isabel. 2008. Page 18 Between the Bougainvilleas. 2004. Page 23
In April 1889, alarmed by the powers unions were assuming, the pastoralists gathered in Barcaldine at what was later to become the local showgrounds. Andrew Crombie, who convened the meeting, found the yards of hotels crowded with vehicles as station men came in from all over western Queensland. Before they dispersed, a Pastoral Employers Association was formed with F. R. Murphy, MLA for Barcoo, as president and Sydney Sharwood of Aramac Station, as secretary.
A reporter stated in September 1889 that there would be a:
‘desperate encounter between capital and labour in the district which may result in serious trouble throughout the colony’.
The pastoralists wanted to reduce rates of payment for shearing and refused to discuss their terms with union representatives. The Great Shearers’ Strike followed in 1891.
The Capricornian of 15 November 1891 reported:
The Queensland Pastoral Employers’ Association commenced their meeting on Monday mooring, the proceedings being private. A very Urge number of representatives were present, from the Gulf of Carpentaria on the one hand to the Darling Downs on the other. I hear the primary subject for discussion was the federation of capital, and the meeting here, after disposing of local business, was adjourned from day to day awaiting communications from the Melbourne conference. On Thursday advice was received that the conference was likely to extend over some time, so it was resolved to adjourn the local meeting for three weeks. In course of conversation with a late resident of this district, and a prominent pastoralist, I was informed the Association were formulating a plan which, he believed, would for ever put an end to dissatisfactions with the workers— that is, with the bona fide labourer, but there were, of course, those who were led by agitators, and who did not desire work, but loved to stir up strife and loaf on the community. These men would always cause trouble to a limited extent.
The Association grew and amalgamated with various groups in the south to become the United Pastoral Association (and ultimately, the United Graziers’ Association).
