THE HARVESTERS’ CAMP

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1790, 10 December 1936, Page 6

THE HARVESTERS’ CAMP

MR. COULTER EXPLAINS Will Find Out Shortage “We will at least find out to what extent there is a shortage of labour on the farms,” said Mr. R. Coulter, M.P. for Waikato, on Thursday evening when explaining the reasons for the establishment of the camp of sustenance men at Morrinsville. “ I understand the officers of the department are selecting the men, and I am hoping that in less than a week as many men as are wanted will be available,” said Mr. Coulter. Applications for men could be made to the certifying officer, who was the postmaster at Morrinsville, or direct to the camp by telephone. “ It is not just the harvesting that is the problem,” he said. “We hope that by getting these men placed even only temporarily on farms they will get a chance of doing other kinds of work. Because of the contact they will make they will have a chance of keeping in work when the harvesting is done.” Dealing with the Government’s policy of solving the unemployment problem, Mr. Coulter said the Government had reduced the number of unemployed by 24,000, and considering the number of men who had been refused registration by the previous Government, this actually represented a reduction of about 37,000 men.

“ I happen to be one of the rank and file committee of five associated with the Cabinet Committee to find avenues of employment,” explained Mr. Coulter. There would always be a number of men incapable of doing hard work or any work, and these would have to be provided for by the pensions scheme. The Government desired to give every man who was a trier an opportunity of doing something useful for his country. “ Why are we still paying 8d in the £ unemployment tax?” asked Mr. F. H. Stretton, voicing a question that many wished to know the answer of.

“ Because we are paying the men enough to live on,” replied Mr. 'Coulter. The Government had substantially increased the rates of pay to those on relief work. “ I am looking for the day wheirithe tax fis abolished—it cannot come 1 too sboh,” added Mr. Coulter. As chairman of the Te Aroha Relief and Unemployment Committee. he was aware of the meagre relief pay the men had received in the past. There had > been an exodus of youpg labour from the country districts to the cities during the slupip years, because of the higher rates of sustenance in the cities.

The Mayor (Mr.' W. T. Osborne) congratulated Mr. Coulter on his efforts in getting the Minister of Labour to visit Morrinsville. He appreciated the earnest endeavour of the Minister, who had said he was there to learn what the farmers wanted. “ I believe the Minister is absolutely sincere,” continued Mr. Osborne. Although all were not practical farmers they were all interested in farming.

INSPECTION OF THE CAMP An inspection of the harvesters’ camp site in Avenue road this morning showed that the buildings already erected comprise two wooden messrooms where meals will be served, a cookhouse and five public works hutments of wood and canvass. There are 14 carpenters and other men, mostly Public Works Department men, at work erecting the huts. When completed the camp will accommodate 50 men. On Thursday afternoon the first draft of 12 men will arrive by train. They will be ready to work on farms on Friday morning