FARM LABOUR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20074, 21 October 1939, Page 12

FARM LABOUR

DENIAL OF SHORTAGE MINISTER’S ANSWER APPEAL TO FARMERS STATE REQUIREMENTS (IVr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In an interview yesterday, the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, contradicted the current assertions of a general shortage of farm labour.

He said that on October 13 there were 180 recorded vacancies for experienced farm workers, and the men available numbered 203. The number of recorded vacancies for inexperienced workers was lli and the number of men available was BGS.

“Farmers requiring labour should avail themselves of the facilities offered by the State Placement Service,” said the Minister. “The service has a very comprehensive organisation and operates through the Social Security Department in all country districts.

“Competent officers will deal with every demand for farm labour of all kinds. Where experienced labour is

available, every effort is made immediately to supply the demand. Where 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 the farmers. I can assure them that, given this co-operation, their labour requirements will be met. There has been some criticism from various sources concerning the alleged shortage of farm labour, but where investigations have been made these charges could not be sustained. “However, 1 want the farmers to know that any demand for labour of any kind will be attended to at once, but I urge them to state their requirements and difficulties to the appropriate departmental officers. I am prepared to arrange for the transfer of suitable men from one locality to another as in the past. “The farmers (themselves realise that lack of adequate accommodation and facilities in many cases increases the difficulty of getting suitable labour, but whatever the difficulties may be, the first step should be to inform the Department of Labour of the requirements.”