LABOUR SHORTAGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume VLI, Issue 3420, 16 December 1935, Page 6

LABOUR SHORTAGE

COMPLAINT BY FARMERS RELIEF WORKERS’ ATTITUDE “I made an effort to obtain labour from a relief camp,” said Mr G. T. Crawley, chairman of the Waikato executive of the Farmers’ Union, in Hamilton yesterday, “but the men would not leave the camp, because they would have to stand down for a fortnight when the private work ceased.” Mr. Crawley’s remark led to a discussion on farm costs, and primary produce prices, Mr E. Wilson urged that the Government be asked to take no steps to reduce working hours in industry until the union had had an opportunity of considering the practicability of reducing hours and-improving labour conditions on farms. The union, he said, should express its desire to co-oper-ate with the Government. Other speakers considered that the suggestion was premature until the Government had declared its policy. Mr G. H. Mellsop, president of the Auckland executive, said he had met many of the members of the new Government yesterday. They had stated that they had been unable to get to work yet, but they would listen to any suggestions the union made. Mr Mellsop mentioned that Messrs 3. G. Barclay (Marsden) and B. Roberts (Wairarapa) would be on the committee of the Minister of Agriculture and both were sympathetic with the aims of the union in improving farming conditions.