MEN FOR FARM WORK

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24335, 14 August 1944, Page 6

MEN FOR FARM WORK

RELEASE FROM FORCES

MINISTER REVIEWS APPLICATIONS

(P.A.) WELLING ON, August 11. In a statement issued to-day, the Minister of Industrie’ Manpower (the Hon. \. McLagan) surveyed the position regarding the .elease of men from the armed forces for farm work, and announced that new measures were being taken to release additional experienced labour.

The Minister said the response to appeals made to farmers several months ago to submit their applications for farm labour well in advance, so that the necessary arrangements could be made to have sufficient men returned from the Pacific, had been disappointing. Up to the end of June, by which time it was, reasonable to expect that the majority of applications would have been received, only 3300 men had been applied for. To that stage arrangements had been concluded to have approximately 3800 experienced workers back in New Zealand and ready to begin work progressively up to about the middle of August,

In addition some 450 inexperienced men who volunteered for farm work had been returned and a further 650 experienced men were due to return to New Zealand this month. Provision was made to provide adequate labour to meet all applications received to the end of June and in addition a liberal allowance of more than 1500 men was made to meet anticipated cases of farmers who neglected to submit their applications until they actually required labour. Applications in July However, during Ju!; . more than 1200 additional applications for labour were received from farmers, and applications were still being received in fairly large numbers, with the request that the labour was needed urgently. Because of lateness in the receipt of these applications, and notwithstanding other steps now being taken to provide further farm workers, a temporary shortage of labour seemed inevitable. due principally to the/ fact that 650 men now due to arrive back from the Pacific, mgny of whom had been engaged in the forward '.areas and 'had been overseas for some, considerable time, could not reasonably be deprived of their period of leave after their return. “I -night mention." adued the Minister “that due to the failure of farmers to make application when requested to do so. and their continued failure, in spite of repeated request and warnings given through the newspapers, it became necessary to reduce by 2000 the quota of farm workers originally arranged for from the Pacific. This reduction was made with the knowledge and r.oproval of the National Council of Primary Pro- “ The present temporary shortage in certain districts is entirely due to the nedect of farmers themselves.” Regarding other steps now being taken to provide farm labour the Minister said the War C >inet had aporoved of the transfer from the Army to the essential industry group for farm work of any experienced dairy, sheep, or agricultural farm workers who were at present in New Zealand on furlough from the Pacific, and who could reasonably be released by the A Tny .men in this category who are willing to return to farm work should therefore make application to the nearest manpower officer, and me question of their release would be given urgent consideration. The Minister added that negotiations were also under way to obtain the release of farm workers from the Air v orce within New Zealand, and that with these additional measures the temporary shortage of J a ™™ r should be overtaken at an early date. His summary dealt mainly with experienced workers.