FARM LABOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22392, 13 April 1936, Page 8

FARM LABOUR

FUTURE PROSPECTS THE GOVERNMENT'S PLANS MORE ATTRACTIVE CONDniONS [from our own* correspondent] HAMILTON, Sunday The effect of the decision of the Minister of Public W&rks, the Hon. R. Semple, to greatly increase the number of employees on public works, was discussed by several prominent Waikato farmers to-day. Fear was expressed that the Minister's decision would greatly accentuate the acute shortage of farm labour that had existed'in the Waikato during the last season. Cases were referred to of men who had given notice to quit their present service on farms in order to take up more lucrative positions that they expected would be offered on the railway and road construction works the Government were putting in hand... "On the other hand, supporters of the Government who were interviewed held that as soon as the arrangement made between the Minister of Employment, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, and reprosentatives of the Farmers' Union was announced, farm employees would find that the inducement offered them to remain where they were would be adequate, while others who had not previously been engaged in farming pursuits would find the land an attractive avenue of employment.^ Improvement in Wages

It is understood that a marked improvement in the wages of farm workers will be made as an outcome of the Government's guaranteed price scheme for dairy products, while the Minister is insisting on farm workers being given much better living conditions than are available on many farms to-day, while time off on pay is being provided for. It is understood that, if necessary, the Government will lend farmers money on easy terms with which to supply suitable accommodation for their workers.

It is also pointed out that there are many men and youths who have not sufficient physique to measure up to the high standard required by the Minister of Public Works in order to qualify for enrolment on the public works wages sheets. These will be avaii. able for farm work, which is not considered to be so arduous as the heavy manual labour involved in railway and road construction. Statement by Minister The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, expressed confidence when speaking at a meeting of the Matangi branch of the Farmers' Union that as soon as the Government's plans respecting the conditions, wages and hours of work, as applied to farm labour, were known, the problem confronting the farmers to i find sufficient labour would be largely overcome. The Minister emphasised the necessity of farmers taking action to improve the living conditions offered to labour. He described those on some farms he knew as appalling. The Minister referred to the difficulties farmers had had in paying adequate wages for labour during the last few yeara owing to the depression, but said that when the guaranteed price scheme —which would have regard to the farmers' costs —came operation, the position arising out of the present shortage would be largely met owing to the bet. ter inducements farmers would be abl« to offer. In short, said the Minister when farm life was made attractive there would be no lack of young men willing to take up farm work.

CONCERN IN THE NORTH INCREASING THE TROUBLE WOMEN AND MILKING SHEDS [from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Sunday The shortage of farm labour of all kinds is becoming very acute in the Whangarei district and is not likely to be relieved with the prospects of an extensive public works programme and a forty-hour week attracting the fe* young men left on the farms. When the position was referred today to Mr. J. A. S. Mackay, chairman of the Whangarei County Council, he said it was very difficult to get farm labour, particularly good farm labour. "The men cannot very well be blamed, as they are attracted by the work near the towns and the prospects of shorter working hours," said Mr. Mackay. He referred to the case of one farmer in the district who was milking over 100 cows. Up to a month ago this mail would not permit women to work in the milking shed, but now he was compelled to do so'. "It would appear," said Mr. Mackay, "that the policy of the Minister of Agriculture to keep women away from the milking sheds, and the policy of the Minister of Public Works, must conflict." He added that it was even difficult to get good men for fencing and shearing, and yet £1 a day could be earned at this class of work. The acuteness of the position wai also stressed by Mr. A. Briscoe Moore, president of the Whangarei sub-pro-vince of the New Zealand Farmers Union. He said the problem was an impossible one. In the past a vigorous public works policy had always created a shortage of farm labour. "The union has been in conference with the Minister of Labour, and we claim that th*» only basic solution of the problem i* to place the farmers in a position to pay competitive wages, but it is a question whether the Government is prepared to pay a sufficiently large S ua *"* antced price to enablo this to done."