THE PRIME MINISTER

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1703, 20 March 1913, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER

FARM LABOUR AND OTHER MATTERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Timaru, March 19. The Prime Minister (Mr. W. F. Massey) formally opened the new Boys' High S'thool in the presence of a large assemblage. In tho course of his remarks, lie complimented the school on its determination to specialise in agriculture, and said the Government was determined to push on laud settlement to the utmost, and asked (ho people to support this policy i Afterwards he received a number of deputations, tho most important being from' the Farmers' Union in reference to the shortage of farm labour (outdoor and indoor), cropping restrictions on L.I.P. land". Regarding farm hands. Mr. Mussuy said the farmer wanted a skilled man able to take charge of horses, implements, and machinery, and Sir Eider Haggard told him such men were as scarce tit Home as lwre. Then, as such men did not remain servants all their lives, continual streams of young men suited for the work were required. Tho Government had been assisting ploughmen and domestics, and he would' oroposo a larger sum for the purpose. Regarding cropping restrictions, he said they were to a large'exfent useless, and he would have them removed within certain limits. In reply to a question about experimental farms, he spoke of the Board of Agriculture to be set up to advise in such matters. . * Mr. Massey had a cordial reception at a large meeting- here this evening, and made an interesting speech. He goes to Dunedin to-morrow, returns to Christ- j church on Friday, and visits Hanmer Springs on Saturday. {