SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1937, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR

IN ENGLAND. LONDON, August 17. The shortage of farm labour was the most discussed topic at the Royal Agricultural Show. Not only is there an acute shortage of casual farm labour in many districts, but some farmers are finding the greatest difficulty in obtaining regular men. The chief cause is rising urban prosperity, employment through re-arma-ment and the construction of aerodromes, factories and roads in rural districts. Farm wages have risen a shilling or two a week since the rot in agriculture was stopped; but the average minimum is still about 32 shillings per week, and more people are coming to the' conclusion that until farmers can offer a minimum cf something like 40 shillings they will not keep the right men on the land. The farmers’ contention is that low farm wages are caused by low food prices, and that while food prices are only 37 per cent, above pre-war, coal is 90 per cent, higher, clothing 95 per cent, higher, and tne general index of such things about 75 per cent, above that of 1911-13.