FARM LABOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 14, 16 July 1937, Page 5

FARM LABOUR

ACUTE SHORTAGE

MORE ELASTICITY WANTED

The desirability of a greater degree of elasticity between farmer and employee in regard to the provisions of the Agricultural Workers' Act was urged in a remit adopted by the Dominion conference of the New Zealand Fanners' Union last evening. Mr. W. A. Sheat (South Taranaki) said that there was considerable dissatisfaction over the holiday provisions of the Act. The half-holiday provision was not elastic enough, as it was necessary to let men. away for the evening milking. The change was desired by many of the young employees on dairy farms. Mr. D. B. Higgins (Auckland) said he was sure the Minister of Labour would regard the proposal favourably. On a visit to the Waikato Mr. Armstrong had indicated that he would be prepared to consider an amendment regarding the half-holiday question. Mr. L. Hammond (Marton) said that Mr. Armstrong had "blown the roof off" when the proposition had been put before him by the Dominion executive. Mr. H. E. Blyde (North Taranaki) said that farm employees did not desire a month's holiday at the end of each year. It was decided to make representations to the Government on the question. Another remit expressed alarm at the Government's system of wages for farm labourers being based upon age rather than qualifications. Mr. Blyde said that farmers throughout the Dominion could employ hundreds of youths if it were not for the restrictive nature of the legislation. Mr. A. E. Robinson (Auckland) said they should not be talking about reducing the wages of farm labourers. They should be seeking ways and means of increasing wages, so that young men would be attracted to the farms. The remit was lost. Mr. Higgins moved that the union should approach the Government regarding the question of the supply of farm labour and suggest that better arrangements should be made whereby men untrained in farming pursuits could be employed as farm hands. There were hundreds of men on sustenance who would make good farm workers, but they would not leave the cities while receiving that sustenance. Those men should be sent out on to the farms, the farmers to pay the balance between sustenance rates and the wages for farm labourers. Farm labour was not available and they had to face up to the proposition of training men. The motion was carried.