FARM LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 251, 22 October 1937, Page 8

FARM LABOUR.

SHORTAGE CLAIMED.

POSITION IN THE WAIKATO.

MINISTER CONTRADICTED.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HAMILTON, this day. The claims of the Minister of Labour, tlie Hon. H. T. Armstrong, made in the House of Representatives last evening that there was no shortage of farm labour in the Waikato were characterised as absurd by Mr. (!. T. Crawley, president of the Waikato executive of the Farmers' Union to-dav.

'"Any farmer will tell you it is most difficult to obtain lalioiir, especially young boys," lie said. "There are some married men willing to go farming if suitable cottages are provided, and that is why we are urging the Government to make a subsidy for such cottages."

He xddeil that placement officers were having a harassing time in efforts to satisfy the demand. The Auckland provincial executive had found it necessary to advertise in Sydney papers for experienced farm labour. He considered muiy farm hands in the Waikato had turned to pursuits where the hours were shorter and the wages better.

"If Mr. Armstrong likes to come to the Waikato a* he did last year we will again prove that the farm labour position is still serious. He admitted a shortage last year," concluded Mr. Crawlev.

"With about 12,000 farmers in this district and only S3 vacancies for men, the position is not very acute," said Mr. J. J). Hislop, placement officer, this morning. He admitted that experienced men could not be obtained anywhere.