Getting Men Back To The Farms

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30953, 8 January 1966, Page 14

Getting Men Back To The Farms

"The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, Jan. 7. A farm labour scheme devised by the Waikato Federated Farmers will encourage semi - retired farmers and men in town jobs who have been brought up on a farm or had farming experience to undertake farm work for a while each year. The scheme will be run in conjunction with the Labour Department and will come into force on February 14. Permanent work also will be offered and ruling or arranged wage rates will apply.

Discussions on the shortage of farm labour have shown that to meet agricultural targets an estimated annual gain of 300 workers is required.

Suggestions for the scheme came from the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers, the Labour Department and the agricultural development conference. Waikato was chosen by the Federated Farmers of New Zealand for implementation of the scheme.

The new scheme will try to see that employer and employee are compatible and that the prospective employee is fully aware of the conditions on the farm on which he will work. Full Details

Employers are required to give details of religion, distance from schools, store and township, and the social and cultural activities available in the district. Details of housing must include a description of the water supply and water heating and toilet facilities.

Included in the information asked of prospective emplayees are details of farming experience, other trades likely to be of assistance to farmers and if the applicant’s wife would like to assist. Farm cadet schemes will benefit from the new scheme as young men finishing their cadet training will have access to information leading to farm work.

Inquiries have already been received from men who wish to live in a city or town with their families and who would provide their own transport to work on farms. Other inquiries have come from men such as carpenters who, with farming background, would like to spend a time on a farm. Such people would greatly assist the farming industry by acting as a replacement on a one-man farm in times of illness or for holidays.