SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 18

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

“Embarrassing”

✓Position

Shortage of labour would prevent the North Canterbury Nasella Tussock Board from completing all the grubbing work offering before the gangs were paid off for Christmas, the secre-tary-manager (Mr F. J. Foley) reported to the board at Waikari yesterday. "There has been an embarrassing shortage of labour for the grubbing gangs and at the moment only four gangs are in operation and even these are not fully manned.” Mr Foley said.

With the constant drain to seasonal work such as the freezing works, with no replacements the strength of the personnel last pay day was only 18 men, compared with the full complement of about 55. he said. "Grubbing work is well behind schedule and it will be impossible to complete the work offering and necessary before the board closes down its grubbing activities for the year on December 21.

"It is intended to re-open at the end of January, which is six weeks earlier than usual, in an endeavour to catch up with the uncompleted grubbing. This will be dependent on the weather and also the availability of labour,” he said.

Mr Foley said that the Scargill camp had been closed because of difficulties in staffing and complaints of unsatisfactory behaviour of the men. The Glenbourne camp has been closed for some time.

Ranging staff, however, is at fpll strength of 15 men. he said. Up to December 7. the grubbing gangs have spent 1232 hours in Kowai County, 25.364 in Waipara, 10,317 in Amuri and 7947 in Cheviot. These figures include travelling time and time lost through wet Weather. To November 30, the board's rangers have spent 1182 hours in Kowai. 6619 in Waipara. 2802 in Amuri and 2076 in Cheviot.