Bored By Their Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 309, 30 December 1938, Page 7

Bored By Their Board

Why Farm Employees Seek Fresh Fields

ACCOMMODATION POOR; SOCIAL LIFE NIL

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. “There is a greater supply of labour arranged for farmers to draw upon than has been the case for many years." stated the Minister of Labour, Hon. 1\ C. Webb, to-night. “Unfortunately some farmers in need of labour are seriously handicapped through lack of suitable accommodation for men. It is the Government's intention in the near future to make money available to farmers at a low rate of interest to build accommodation for employees." According to latest advice received from the employment division of the Department of Labour at Hamilton, Mr. Webb said there was sufficient labour available to meet the demands of farmers for harvesting work. Upon the subject of conditions at some farms, Mr. Webb said that when young men were sent on to farms where accommodation was poor and social surroundings were such as to place them virtually in isolation without contact even with the farmer's family, discontent rapidly developed and the men soon left their jobs. His officers informed him that where accommodation was good and farm workers could enjoy a reasonable degree of social life, little difficulty was experienced in providing labour. “Until such time as accommodation on farms can be brought up to a reasonable standard of comfort," Mr. Webb concluded, “it will be difficult to induce young men to remain at farm work. If farmers would co-operate more with local placement officers and give them an idea of the number and class of men they required, the officers would immediately get to work in an endeavour to met their requirements."