SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14564, 15 January 1913, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR.

GOVERNMENT ASKED TO IMPORT,

(SPECIAU TO "THH PRESS.")

INVERCAItGILL, January 14

At a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union for the provincial district of Southland, the following letter from the Dominion Secretary was read: —-"Tho New Zealand Government has at present under consideration the question of immigration in regard to farm labourers and domestics, and the Minister (the Hon. F. li. D. Bell) has asked to be supplied with some definite particulars of tho requirements of the Dominion both in respect to the class of labour and numbers, and I have been instructed by tho Dominion .resident (Mr J. G. Wilson)- to take early steps to draxv up a list cf the farmers in your loca.ity who require labour now or within tho course of the next two or three mouths. You might consult with your chairman as to the best and quickest way of getting this information, so that you may be able to advise me by the 20th inst., or as soon after as possible. Wo have pointed out to the Minister the difficulty of collecting this information hurriedly, but we are anxious to impress upon the Government the need for a systematic policy, and xve are dependent upon the branches for the necessary proof of tlie great demanel for labour that wo believe to exist all over the Dominion. Will you, therefore, kiudiy furnish me with tho libt required, and when sending it on I woukl bo glad if you will state what you believe to bo a fair estimate of the requirements in your locality. Trusting to have your prompt attention to this matter, and awaiting your reply." After considerable discussion the following motion was carried i —"That the attention of tho Hon. the Prime Minister be directed to the present lack of labour in the country districts, which tends to prevent farmers from having t_eir actual nertssaiy work cariicd out, anel also proper cultivation of the land, which causes consequent loss in production, and, therefore, severe loss to the Dominion. That the Government be requested to relieve the present unsatisfactory position by giving encouragement to the best class of farm labourers in the Old Country to emigrate. That, in the opinion of this executive, there aro openings in Southland alone for from 500 to 10UO men of the proper class." The introduction of immigrants through the Central Unemployed Body of London was also discussed, and tho secretary (Mr J. T. Pram) was instructed to advise the branches that he was prepared to receive applications from farmers, and that the list supplied by the London Body could be inspected at any time and selections made therefrom.