MEET THE FARMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 164, 14 July 1930, Page 10

MEET THE FARMERS.

ADVICE FOR UNEMPLOYED. ' "NOT A MATTER OF CHEAP ~ LABOUR." ,1 FULL WAGE NOT AVAILABLE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) GISBOKNE, Sunday. While it was perfectly true that there was plenty of work in the country for unemployed single men, Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.P., stated at a meeting of imemployed at Gisborne, that the farmers were in the position of having insufficient funds to make that work available at full rates of pay. He impressed upon the men that it would be better to meet the farmers and accept work at what the farmers could afford to pay. The meeting was hostile toward many of the speaker's statements. Mr. Lysnar said they could not rush to the Government for everything. There was plenty of work in the country. Interjectors: Where is it? Mr. Lysnar: There is plenty of work but the farmers have not sufficient money to provide it. It would be better for the men ta take work at 15/ a week and found than have nothing at all. Voices: Would you take it? Mr. Lysnar: Yes. Continuing, Mr. Lysnar claimed that unemployment relief cost the Government £350 a year for each man employed. Unless the Government took the position in hand as a broad question and dealt with the trusts which were the cause of the present unemployment, they would never be in a comfortable position. A Voice: Are you in, favour oi cheap labour ? Mr. Lysnar urged single men to accept work at what the farmers could pay in order to relieve the position for married men. "If you look for , the full wage," said Mr. Lysnar, "you will not get it. It is no use trying to get blood from a stone. I know things are serious and that the country cannot go on paying for unemployment. Why should you, as reasonable men, demand tlw standard rate of pay? If you do, a lot of you will starve. If tho former is getting less than it costs to produce his produce, you will have to accept less." :