SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22243, 6 November 1937, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR

TO THB EDITOR OK THB PEBBS. Sir,—lt is with interest that I read in “The Press” to-day, a statement in reference to the shortage of farm Mahout, headed Wellington, November J, and made by the Minister for Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong. Now, I have had more than 10 years experience in all branches of farm work and am a fully qualified teamster, and have worked on dairy farms, and had experience with sheep. When I applied at the placement office in Christchurch for farm work, the officer there told Me I could not get farm work because I am a married man with two children (one of school age). So I am now registered as an ordinary labourer. It appears to me that the [farmers want married men without children so that the farm, worker’s wife can slave cooking for a lot of men, and thus save the -farmer from employing domestic help. I think that a separate cottage should be provided for all married farm workers and that their wives should be left out of the question of farm work as they have quite enough to look after their own home and family without being a “community chattel” for the farmer and his labourers. Dc you think that Mr Armstrong or thfe placement officer can give a satisfactory reply why a married man with children is not wanted by the farmer when there is supposed to be such s shortage of experienced farm labour? I have excellent references and can refer to at least half a dozen farraprjß to show that I am genuine.—Yours, etc. . . . FARM, LABOURER. Rangiora. November 4, 1937.