FARM LABOUR PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 39, 9 November 1940, Page 13

FARM LABOUR PROBLEM

Season’s Difficulties

MINISTER’S REVIEW OF SITUATION

A review of tlic fat'iu labotii position throughout New Zealand was given last night by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb. He said this season had been particularly difficult because, in spite of all the manpower committees had done, thousands ol farm workers had gone into the military forces. Ihe withdrawal of these men from the industry had intensified the problem of meeting the demand foi latm workers. "Much bad been done to meet the abnormal situation.

“If ever the ftiriti labour problem has been honestly tackled by a Gov erninent. it Ims been so dealt will, bj Labour.” said Mr. Webb. “Though we do not claim to have solved all the problems, it can be claimed that Hie Government has adopted new measures to ensure that liirmers get the itecessary labour lo maintain the production which is an essential part of the country's war effort. "Steps have been taken to enable farmers to obtain seasonal workers without delay. 'Phis year, farmei's distant from placement offices may apply direct to the local bodies employing Scheme 13 labour. In the past application had to be made through lite Slate placement officer, who had lo conimtinieale with the local body, ami Ibis meant tt eetraiu amount of delay. Tl’.’o advantage today is tlmt men wauled for such opcralions ns hoeing, weeding, Ihinnilig of root crops, I urnlug or harvesting of hay. and so forth, may be applied for direel if it placement officer is not reasonably accessible." Subsidies to Fanners. Some of the other measures the Government. had taken were outlined by Mr. Webb. He said Hutt what was known as Sclteme -ll'' provided lor sub sillies lo farmers who employed less experienced melt. The subsidy was 3(1 - a week for H?; 1 first six months and 15/- :j week’ for the second liall'year. By tlmt subsidy the Government had otieotirageil tin 1 employment uf more than Slip men whom farmer.-! would not. otherwise have employml. At the same time the men so employed had gained practical knowledge of farm work.

The' Government, had also arranged temporary accommodation to be supplied by ll.'O Public Works Department for married and single farm workers. The latest return showed that. 3.15 units of accommodation had been provided—233 married and 82 single—through the facilities made available by the Government. Figures expected shortly would show an increase. and further applications were being received which would be dealt with expeditiously. In addition, there was the l farm housing scheme under which farmers could obtain financial assistance. .In order to encourage the employment, ot. married men, an allowance of fl a week was paid to men separated from their families. More than 100 men were receiving this allowance in cases where married quarters were not available. Farm latinl Development.

'l.’he .Minister also referred to the assistance that had been given to farmers under the scheme known as 48. which aimed at the development and imjn'ovement of farm lands. Assistance was ,‘tvaliable up to 75 pm- cent, of Hie labour cost for land, clearing, drainage. snb-divisiomtl feueing and topdressing of difficult country.

"During the past 18 months," said Mr. Webb, “about .138.000 acres have been cleared. In addition, 1.232 miles of drains have been dug of improved, 359 mill's oi’ fences liave been erected, and oilier extensive developmental work carried out. At present there are approximately 3000 men employed against more than 4.000 men six months ago. This reduction is due to diversion of a great number to ordinary farm work. First consideration is always given to supplying suitable men for regular work on farms." Mr. Webb meat lotted the assistance which the Public Works Department had been able to give lo farmers in developing farm lands with heavy machinery.

“The Slate Placement Service has played a prominent jtai't iu Hie ditli cult problem of filling farm vacancies,” he said. “The big majority of vaeattcie.s was iu Hie Nori it Island, but the placement: service has transferred many men from the South. Island where plenty of labour was available. While there is still a considerable demand' for farm labour of certain types, the vacancies recorded with the placement service have dropped considerably during recent weeks.” Mr. Webb ex.iire.ssed satisfaction with the manner in. which many farmers had shown willingness to co-ojter-ate in obtaining farm inliour with a view to increasing production of essential foodstuffs. 'Dio Government was ready at all times to do every tiling possible io help lite farmers. Though considerable success imd ii-.-en acliicved in providing farm labour, fa rim-rs would rest assured llmt Hie Government would not relax its efforts.