SEASONAL WORK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 5, 17 October 1941, Page 5

SEASONAL WORK.

SHORTAGE OF RURAL LABOUR. POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT. (P.Afl) WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. Reference to the shortage of labour, especially in rural areas, was made in two urgent questions asked, by .Mr J. N. Massey (National, Franklin) and Mr W.S. Goosman (National, Waikato), when the House of Representatives met to-day. Replying to the question by Mr Goosman, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) said the Government was aware of the shortage of acceptable labour for seasonal work in country districts and that the position was likely to be even more difficult this year than last year owing to the increasing number of men who had been withdrawn from farming for general war purposes. Although the Government was taking all possible steps to meet the situation, it would ho prepared to consider the calling of a special representative conference of employers and employees, as: had boon suggested by Mr Goosman, but . preferred that interested organisations should first submit new proposals in writing. The Government would then be in a better position to decide if a conference was necessary:

Mr Massey’s question was., directed to the Minister of National Service (the Hon. R. Semple), who replied that the question of a general survey of man-power requirements of essential industries had been under consideration for. some time. Appeal boards were being continuously kept, advised as to the relative importance of the various industries and the extent to which it was desirable to postpone the service of skilled employees called up for military service. The National Service Department was now taking steps to carry out the necessary investigation of all aspects affecting the utilisation of manpower for essential industries, and this would bo done in conjunction with representatives of employers and workers in the industries concerned.