ELIMINATE SUBSIDIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20487, 22 February 1941, Page 8

ELIMINATE SUBSIDIES

FARMERS’ UNION VIEW FARM WORK LABOUR MEASURE IN SHORTAGE A plea for the elimination of subsidised labour schemes for farmers while there was a shortage of farm labour was made at a meeting of the Poverty Bay provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday afternoon, when the meeting agreed to ask Dominion headquarters to make representations to the Government on the matter. Mr. P. W. Mossman claimed that much of the subsidised work on farms was of great value to the farmers concerned, for many of the jobs would not be worth the full cost of the work. Mr. F. C. Charteris maintained that many farmers who were not in a position "to pay the full price of the jobs had received much benefit from the subsidy scheme. A voice: And after the farmer pays his 25 per cent and finds the men in meat that is often the full value of the work. . Another member: With some men, but there are some good workers. Mr. M. T. B. I-lali opposed subsidised work on principle, and said it was demoralising to the New Zealand workman, and was demoralising, also, to t! ie employer. In addition, if a work would pay dividends the farmer would do it without a subsidy and if it would not pay dividends then it was a gross waste of public money. Unproductive Work Mr. W. A. McCliskie: Is the subsidised labour necessary now we have a glut in production? Mr. J. E. Brosnahan moved a remit to the Dominion executive that all subsidised labour schemes should be removed while there was a shortage of farm labour. Mr. Hall seconded the motion. Mr. Mossman asked if farmers would absorb all men available off tire subsidy schemes, for if all the men were not absorbed they would be pul on unproductive work in the town. Mi 1 . Charteris said that many farmers did not have sufficient housing to employ men and the cost of housing would be too expensive when the accommodation would be required for only a few months of the year. The motion urging the suspension of subsidised schemes while there was a shortage of farm labour was carried without opposition.