FARM LABOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 13

FARM LABOUR

SOUTH AUCKLAND AREA r ■■ CONCERN OF DAIRYMEN effect upon industry CONFERENCE TO BE HELD [from ouu own con respondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday In spite of the statement of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, that reports that there was fl n acute shortage of farm labour in ■the Waikato were a gross exaggeration, the problem formed the chief topic for discussion a I a meeting of the South Auckland Dairy Association to-day. Members expressed deep concern regarding the present position, and of the effect the shortage would have on the j future of the industry. Mr. W. H; trbutt (Cambridge) said! the Government's scheme of giving farm labour four weeks' holiday at the end of the year was impracticable. Mr. J. F. West (Hinuera) said the men would not know what to do with themselves for a month in the winter. Mr. J- Bell (Te Poi) expressed the T j e , v that it. was doubtful if any farm labour would be available next winter. The present indications were that farmers would have to do all the farm work in future. ■ Under-rate Permits A letter was received from the inspector of labour, .Mr. J. Mclvor, stating j that special rates of pay could be given to the wives of farm hands who assisted | in the milking shed provided an under- j rate worker's permit was obtained. It j was pointed out that unless tho permit i was secured, £3 a week would have to i be paid to the female worker. Mr. W. Parrall (Tatua) said the j shortage of farm labour would have a | far-reaching effect. He would not. be ; surprised to see many farmers give up j dairying at the end of the current | season and take up sheep-raising. The j dairy companies did not desire to see ; a change-over, neither did the farmers j themselves, but it was apparent that j unless there was a sufficient supply of i suitable labour available, tho industry ; could not be maintained at its present i standard. Mr. W. Harbutt (Cambridge) said j they could not expect suitable farm labour to be available until the Govland policy was altered and sufficient inducement was offered to young men to learn farming by placing them in a position in which they could become farmers on their own account , when they had completed their apprenticeship. Men should he assisted to take up areas of from SO to 100 acres. Smaller areas would •develop into one-man farms which would produce a system of slavery. Improving Conditions Mr. C. J. Par lane (New Zealand Cooperative Dairy Company, Limited), agreed that what Mr. Harbutt had described was a fine ideal, but in his opinion the difficulty could be overcome by improving the conditions ori farms and enabling the farmer to offer competitive wages. Men in other callings did not all become owners and masters, and there was no reason why all farm hands should do so, provided satisfactory working conditions wen* made available. Mr. Darrall: Farm work must Iv made so attractive that men will prefer it before other occupations. The chairman. Mr. S. A. Ferguson {(Norfolk), agreed. Mr. .Ji Bell (Te Poi) said oven farmers' sons wore leaving the land, and were working elsewhere, lie bad two sons working in a factory. Mr. Harbutt advocated the payment of a compensatory price 'for dairyproduce. "A Political Origin" Mr. Parlane: Tho problem has a political origin, and it will have a political end. The voting power of the towns is a dominant factor, as is evidenced by the attractive sustenance allowances paid. Mr. !'. H. MeKonzie (New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited), considered an immigration policy would relieve the situation, but Mr. Bell eontended that such a policy would be only a palliative and not ;F cure. Moreover, the man power was in the country if it could only be put to use. Mr. Parlane said it was ridiculous for the Government to s'pend large sums of money on railway construction works that would never pay and deprive tho farmers of much-needed labour. Ihe whole policy was incomprehensible. One effect was that the costs in the country were increased, and the farmers had a clear claim for a compensatory return in income. It was decided to refer the whole subject to a conference of dairy company representatives to bo held next month. PLACEMENT REPORT EASING IN SITUATION MARKED SURPLUS OF WORKERS Judged by tho experience of the Auckland Placement Service, the demand for farm labour has definitely eased. A fair number of experienced men are awaiting employment, and difficulty is being experienced in fitting men to jobs. No inquiry is now being received for haymakers, although the service has still 21 men out at the Morrinsville harvesting camp. To illustrate the change in the situation, it is stated that in an attempt to place an experienced young man, an office of the service telephoned 12 farmers, who recently had given the information they desired to engage men, but only one wanted a man. Some of the. farm labourers awaiting employment are married, but not all of the wives are prepared to do housework or assist with milking. A fair number of the farm hands awaiting employment orp available for milking. , One of the difficulties experienced by the service is to find a suitable man for a particular job. \\ hat may suit one farmer may not suit another, for farming conditions are fairly complex. The labour requirements for some farmers, it is stated, are very hard to satisfy, "wo experienced harvesters were sent out. to one farmer, but he refused to take them when he found that tlie.v had been on sustenance. In another instance, a worker with a good record returned from a dairy farm where he bad been engaged at £'2 12s 6d a week. His complaint was that he was unable *° stand the strain of the work. He started work each day in the milking sheds at :',.;!() a.m. and finished at p.m. This was for seven days in the week, and between milking periods he had worked continuously at harvesting.