Overcoming Farm Labour Problem

Northern Advocate, 10 November 1939, Page 8

Overcoming Farm Labour Problem

The farm labour committee of the Whangarei District Council of Primary Production wants to assist Northland farmers with their labour problems, but they cannot help until fanners make known their requirements. The chairman of the Whangarei Production Council (Mr E. B. Glanville) said this today. Farmers requiring either permanent or seasonal labour should advise the Placement Officer at Whangarei, or their nearest agent. Immediately such application is made the committee will strain every endeavour to fulfil the requirements. If.the labour required is not available locally the committee will then communicate with the labour organisers to the National Primary Production Council, Wellington (Messrs R. Eddy, president of the N.Z. Workers’ Union, and A. P. O’Shea, secretary of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union). This committtee will endeavour to obtain labour from other districts. A survey of the labour requirements had been asked for by the Labour organisers to the national council, Mr Glanville said.

Comprehensive Survey Wanted

A comprehensive survey, which could only be provided by the co-oper-ation of farmers, would enable the organisers to cope more efficiently with the demand which is likely to be made for labour. Particulars concerning the number of dairy farm hands, ploughmen, shepherds, etc., the wages offered for the jobs concerned, the accomodation provided and any other particulars of conditions, etc., were required to complete the survey. These particulars should be sent to the Placement Officer immediately if benefit for seasonal work was to be received this year, Mr Glanville said. “It is hoped that farmers will make their requirements known, as the move is a sincere attempt to help them find suitable labour to maintain production,” Mr Glanville concluded.