SUPPLY OF FARM LABOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 October 1939, Page 2

SUPPLY OF FARM LABOUR

MINISTER DENIES SHORTAGE. [per press association.] WELLINGTON, October 20. The existence of a. general shortage of farm labour was denied by LHC Minister for Labour (Mr. Webb) in an interview to-day. lie said that on October 13 there were 180 recorded vacancies for experienced farm workers. and the men available numbered 203. ’.rhe number of recorded vacancies for inexperienced workers was 16. and the number of men available , til “Klinners rcH/uiriim’ lubour should avail themselves of the facilities offered by the State Placement Service,” saui Mr. Webb. “The service has a very comprehensive organisation, ami operates llirough the Social Security Department in all country districts.. Competent officers will deal with every demand for farm labour of all kinds. Where ex’mrienced labour is available every effort is made immediately to supply the demand. Whore experienced labour is not available the department is prepared to subsidise labour for a period sufficient, to enable the worker and the farmer to make a success of the job. “Every demand for farm labour will receive urgent attention, but i must have the co-operation of farmers. I can assure (hem that given this cooperation their labour requirements will be met.” Mr. Webb said that there- had been criticism, from various sources concerning an alleged shortage of farm labour, but where, investigations had been made these charges could not be substantiated. “I want, farmers to know that any demand for labour of any kind will be attended to at. once: but. 1 do urge them to state their requirements and difficulties to the appropriate departmental officers. I am prepared to arrange the transfer of suitable men from one locality to another. “Farmers themselves realise that lack of adequate accommodation anil facilities in many cases add to the difficulty, of getting suitable labour, but whatever the difficulties may be the first step should be t-o> inform the Department of their requirements.”

SEASONAL WORK. MR. SEMPLE’S APPEAL. WELLINGTON. October 20. Leave will be granted to men employed on public works who wish to undertake seasonal work on farms, according to a statement made to-day by the Minister for Public Works (Mr. Semple). The Minister said that in view of the existing circumstances the schedule of occupations for which leave would be granted had been extended to include practically every class of seasonal work. “I am confident that all workmen realise the importance of co-operating to the fullest possible extent, and that the maintaining and increasing of primary production is necessary not only in the interests of this Dominion, but. also in the interests of the people of the Mother Country, who are at present engaged in a titanic struggle for liberty against the most, ruthless and cruel despotism that the world has ever known,” said Mr. Semple. “I appeal to all suitable men on public works voluntarily and willingly to answer the call and to assist in increasing production to the maximum. It should be obviously apparent to all workmen to whom I appeal that increased production is the first essential and the public works- staff can give magnificent, service in this most necessary and essential class of work. Instructiions issued by the- Department state that leave may be granted for shearing (including mustering), for shed hands, and for men engaged in wool classing in shearing sheds and bulk stores, haymaking, harvesting (including threshing)', fruit picking and sorting in orchards, tobacco picking and curing, and slaughtering and other classes of seasonal employment in freezing works. Leave granted will lie without pay by the Department, and men will not be entitled td payment, by the- Department. for any statutory holidays which occur during the period of leave. Men will be re-employed by the Department when seasonal work is finished. provided that Hie departmental work on which they were engaged has not. been completed meanwhile and there are vacancies on it.

The period of approved leave will not. constitute a. break in service,' and will count when determining a workman’s length of service for payment cf annual leave under Clause B of Part. 15 of the Public Work WcrkeiW .Agreement. 1936. provided, however, that annual leave payable shall be based on time worked for the Department. SOCIALISATION RESENTED. PALMERSTON N.. , October 20. After a long discussion on the legislation affecting the farming industry, the Feilding branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union unanimously resolved: “That while farmers' in the Feilding district are prepared to do their full share to prosecute l the war to a. successful conclusion, and in this spirit are prepared to accept a temporary commandeer of their produce, they are determined to resist to the utmost any efforts made in socialisation of their industry. Failing immediate a:-;-srurance from the Government iliac the commandeer regulations wiil be repealed al the termination of the war, farmers in this district refuse to support any co-ordination schemes put forward bv the Government."