FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 14 September 1935, Page 16

FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE

“SPOON FEEDING UNEMPLOYED” DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE WELLINGTON, Sept. 13. | Difficulties experienced by farmers j in- obtaining agricultural labour and domestics were emphasised by Air A. Stuart (Govt., Rangitikei), when speaking in the Address-in-Reply -debate in the House of . Representatives yesterday. Air Stuart said plenty of work was available in the country districts, and that people should not be taxed to keep individuals who would not accept employment when it was available. “The farmer never had more trouble in securing suitable labour than at the present time,” declared Air Stuart. ‘' When I say that I speak as a farmer with a practical knowledge, and as one who knows what is going on in tho tural districts. At the preesnt time people are -drifting to the cities in spite of the fact that there are no occupations for them. That is the reason the farmer cannot get labour. I will not deny the fact that in some of the dairying districts the wages are not too high. Air J. O’Brien (Lab., Westland): Ten shillinps a week. Mr Stuart: Yes, I am sorry to say fhat in- some cases that is the wage that is offering. But it is not only people in the country who offer lowwages. I often see city people advertising for girls at 5s and 7s 6d a w r eek, so it docs not apply exclusively to the farmer. The lad w-ho w-ill accept low' wages at tho start, however, can generally improve his position. If one has an independent spirit he can generally push ahead.

Continuing, Air Stuart said that in tho interests of all concerned, including the taxpayers and the unemployed themselves, camps for single men should be closed. Although good homes were available, where domestics would be treated as one of the family, country people were unable to obtain them. ‘ ‘ We have to stop spoon-feeding the unemployed,” he concluded.