Assistance for the Farmer

Northland Age, Volume 7, Issue 11, 10 December 1937, Page 4

Assistance for the Farmer

Union to Consider Scheme for the Provision of Relief Manager for Farms

At the meeting of the Bay SubProvincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. G. A. Morphett of Kaingaroa, made an appeal that the Union institute a scheme for the provision of relief farm-manager available to farmers who through accident or illness were unable to carry on with their farm work. The Union is to consider such a scheme and a committee consisting of Messrs. J. W. Jones, R. Harrison and G. A. Morphett was appointed to go fully into the question and to report at the next meeting of the Executive. The scheme could be worked on the same lines as the housekeeping service of the Women’s Division, said Mr. Morphett. This service had proved of indescribable benefit to farmers’ wives and such a scheme, if applied to farm managers, would relieve the anxiety of farmers, and their womenfolk also, in times of sickness or accident to the farmer himself. The farmer would know that a competent man would be in charge of the farm and this great worry would be taken from his .shoulders. At present men had often to carry on when they were really too ill to work, as they could not get competent labour.

Mr. A. E. Robinson stated that such a scheme was in successful operation in the Te Awamutu district and he explained how it was financed and controlled there. If such a scheme was brought into being, said Mr. J. W. Jones, then a man would have to be employed full time and with a satisfactory salary, such a nian could be obtained. If he was not required on urgent cases then, if a farmer desired a holiday, this man would be available to look after his farm. The farmer would, of course, have to pay for the service.