FARM LABOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22429, 27 May 1936, Page 14

FARM LABOUR

REMEDY EOR SHORTAGE IMMIGRATION FAVOURED WAGES AND CONDITIONS DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE Some diversity of opinion was expressed by delegates when remits urging immigration, to overcome the existing shortage of farm labour, were (jonsidered at the Auckland provincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union last night. While it was generally held that immigration would be desirabio for the Dominion's welfare, many speakers were emphatic that any shortage of farm labour was directly caused by the low wages, long hours and general conditions under which men were expected to work. In moving a remit that the Government should assist by way of reduced passages the immigration of nominated skilled farm workers, Mr. R. A. S. Brown said there was a definite shortage of farm hands in the Dominion and the immigration of skilled men woidd overcome the difficulty. The shortage was to be found mostly in the milking sheds, and it was difficult to obtain skilled men for this work. There was any amount of labour offering for general farm work. "Men Leaving Farms"

"There can be no objection to immigration, for New Zealand wants millions more people," said Mr. A. E. Robinson. "Men are leaving the farms in such great numbers that the publication of statistics bearing this out has been dropped." Several contended that there were plenty of farm hands in the country, and the farmers who put their men off over the winter months were to blame for any acute shortage of labour that came in the spring. If men were brought from England, the position would be unaltered, as they would be put off over the winter and would have to go on sustenance. "The "trouble is that the farm labourer has no permanency of tenure in the Dominion,," said Mrl* H. M. Cookson. "They do not know when they will be put out of work."

Remits Carried

There were a number of yonng men in the country who, if they could get a fair remuneration, would prefer farm life to any other, said Mr. A. McConaughey. With good wages, farming would become a popular occupation. An amendment was moved by Mr. T. D. Bathgate that it be brought under the notice of the Government that the greatest problem in New Zealand today was a lack of population, and the Government be urged to take prompt steps to formulate a planned and selective scheme of immigration whereby a suitable type of person would be induced to come to the Dominion. The amendment was carried, and became a remit. The remit moved by Mr. R. A. S. Brown was carried, and a further remit carried stated:—"ln view of the acute shortage of farm labour we urge that a meeting of representatives of dairy companies and the Farmers' Union be convened to consider some ,practical scheme, Government or private, for encouraging the immigration of men and youths suitable for farm employment, or some alternative scheme for overcoming the farm labour shortage."