OTHER PAPERS’ OPINIONS.

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1789, 7 December 1936, Page 4

OTHER PAPERS’ OPINIONS.

FARM LABOUR : CO-OPERATION The Minister for Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong - , expressed surprise that he was met by such a large body of farmers at Morrinsville yesterday morning. He only expected to meet a few of the executives of farmdrs’ organisations. The fact that farmers did interest themselves in the visit' denoted that' they were faced with real problems,, and the visit of the Minister showed that the member for Waikato, Mr. R. Coulter, was keen to acquaint the Minister first hand with existing conditions. The first point of note in the meeting was that the difficulty of the dairyfarmers’ position both as regards the milking shed and harvesting operations was agreed upon. At one stage it seemed that there would be a deadlock over the cause of existing conditions, but this was overcome by the Minister explaining that much of the recent legislation, as it affected farmers, would come up for review with the question of guaranteed prices at the end of 12 months.

Yet this did not prevent many of those present from explaining their views of the difficulties regarding shed labour. The Minister emphasised that- no one could-teach young fellows milking except the dairyfarmer. Farmers admitted that an inexperienced youth could easily ruin a herd of cows.

Out of this arises the question as to how the farmers are to get hold of the pupils. They aver that the Government is making conditions so attractive in other walks of life that desirable young fellows will not go on to farms, and the Minister’s answer is that farm life must be made more attractive. How this is to be brought about was not explained. The only possible means on the surface to-day is to offer wages which will more than compete with other industries. Can this be done under the present guaranteed price? Cabinet should have a fair idea of this. There -is not the slightest doubt that the main problem of the dairyfarmers is to get milking labour. A phase not touched on was the possibility of the farmer, after giving his hand an education, being left in the lurch about Christmas time. This is not unknown; in fact, it may be said to be frequent, and so the position bristles with difficulties.

Although the position of dairyfarm labour was left somewhat in the air, a concrete basis for the use of sustenance men for harvesting was arrived at. The men to be camped on Avenue road are to be paid 2s 6d per hour by farmers while working for them, and are to be provided with lunch and the usual light refreshments. The Government will provide shelter and other keep and will pay sustenance rates when the men are not working for farmers. That was the basis offered the Minister after consideration at the meeting and unanimously accepted by those present, except as regards the matter of lunch, etc. Even the latter condition was ultimately re* garded as fair. This arrangement must appeal to all right-thinking people as an honest attempt to overcome this part of the farmers’ difficulties. The meeting appeared to be genuinely pleased with the Minister’s outlook and his offer in this respect. It was left to Mr. Coulter to explain how the scheme could, be made or marred. He appealed to all farmers in the district to help by co-operating with him. As the Minister’s representative to superintend conditions at Morrinsville Mr. Coulter will have the heavy responsibility of securing the co-operation of the workmen. The magnitude or otherwise of his task will depend to an extent on the men who are selected by placement officers. The wish of everyone should be that his task will be a light one. As the Minister admitted, the real trouble of the dairyfarmer, the inability to' secure milking farm labour, remains for settlement.—Morrinsville ; Star.