PLAN TO FLY FARM WORKERS FROM BRITAIN CRITICISED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29469, 22 March 1961, Page 17

PLAN TO FLY FARM WORKERS FROM BRITAIN CRITICISED

The proposal of Waikato Federated Farmers to fly farm workers out to New Zealand from the United

Kingdom to counter “the S e r ious shortage of farm workers" was criticised by Mr W. A Dempster. South Island secretary of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, yesterday. Mr Dempster described the proposed scheme as "an unwarranted expense, “They would be far better advised to spend the money on improving conditions for New Zealand tarm workers, who are available if only farmers would better wages,” he said. Why pay air fares at the Government s expense when a farmer. “ ‘ have found, wo_Jdn t even pay a fare from Christchurch to Ashburton for a P™specUve em P lo ,y ee he wanted to interview? - to much g shortage reasO nable and t conditions for se m „. From, an employment a fF”, cy h adver‘ J sed during office had December and January last, who terested m workers , ®‘£eagly «i ? d stole, Mr Dempster said.

About 50 inquiries had been received from prospective farm workers said Mr Dempster, and in one week alone the file of workers willing to be placed in a farm job amounted to 25.

"Fifteen farmers approached us wanting workers, but of our 50 applicants, we only succeeded in placing two,” Mr Dempster said. In the main, this was because farmers were not prepared to mak a firm offer of an attractive wage, Mr Dempster said. “When asked what wages they would be prepared to pay, they quoted sums very little above the farm workers’ present meagre agreement—£lo 0s 9d a week with a house supplied, or £lO 10s 9d if not. No farmer was prepared to quote wages comparing with those being paid by the more enlightened farmers, who are paying £BOO-£9OO a year, with free milk, meat, ' and firewood—and getting workers,” Mr Dempster said.

“Not one farmer was prepared to pay the travelling expenses of a worker to go out to his farm for an interview,” said Mr Dempster. “One farmer wanted to see not only the prospective employee, but his wife and children as well—but he wasn't prepared to pay their

travelling costs to Ashburton.”

Most farmers seemed to consider that the question of wages was a private matter purely between themselves and the prospective worker, said Mr Dempster. “When I raised the question of wages. I met with rudeness, and even abuse, and was told it was none of my business,” he said. "Or, in the case of a letter sent, they did not deign to reply.” It was obvious that most of the farmers simply wanted to be introduced to prospective workers, and then "beat them down” to their own terms, Mr Dempster said. When asked about what hours they expected their employees to work, farmers were generally vague, or, again, did not bother to reply, Mr Dempster said.

“There was also a reluctance to take on the younger, single men with no farm experience. but willing and anxious to learn,” Mr Dempster said.

“With the exception of one man, I just found a lack of co-operation from the farmers in attempting to start up this employment service,” Mr Dempster said. "The farm workers were there—so of them—but the lack of co-

operation was such that we could only place two. "Needless to say. the employment s rvice could not be carried on—although I have still several prospective workers on file.” he said. “What is really wanted is ' an investigating committee to i go through New Zealand, and i look into the farm-labour difficulty in each district,” said Mr Dempster “They would find the reason for it all right,”