FARM LABOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22406, 30 April 1936, Page 15

FARM LABOUR

SHORTAGE IN NORTH ATTRACTIVE PUBLIC WORKS DISCUSSION AT WHANGAREI [by TELEGHAPH —OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Wednesday Tho serious shortage of farm labour was referred to to-day at the annual meeting of tho Whangarei sub-pro-vincial executive of the Farmers' Union, when the following remit was received from the Whangarei branch: — "That this branch records the definite shortage of farm labour in the Whangarei district, attributable to the offering of more attractive forms of employment to single men." Mr. A. E. Phillips said that with the Government departments offering attractive work it would bo impossible shortly to secure farm labour at any price. The president, Mr. A. Briscoe Moore, said that as the result of publicity given recently ho had received letters from married men in Auckland asking for farm work. The union could not take much action at the moment, as tho Government's legislation was not fully known.' Mr. A. Wiblin said young men had no urge to go on farms. They wanted some objective work, for they had seen their elders loose their equities and their life work wasted. An amendment to the remit was carried endorsing the Auckland executive's resolution, that farm wages should be comparable with other industries and that tho price for farm produce should be increased according to the proposed improved wages and conditions. A resolution was carried that it was the executive's opinion that, where the size and production of the farm permitted, the provision of separate living accommodation for married men would tend to ease tho problem of securing suitable farm labour.