SUBSIDISED FARM LABOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22688, 29 March 1937, Page 12

SUBSIDISED FARM LABOUR

Sir, —A few rears back, when labour ■was scarcer than I have round it since, I took on a town lad of IS. It was not until the second season that he could go about his work without constant supervision. He eventually became a good hand and quite enthusiastic and is now looking for a farm of his own, but I would not care to go through that first year again! When 1 learned to milk I was told by an experienced person that no one could become an efficient miiker in one season, and I believe it. I do not blame farmers for being reluctant to risk their herds with inexperienced milkers, as tfie animals are expensive to replace and one cannot buy a spare part for a cow. I also fonnd the replacing of broken tools hi inexperienced hands'rather too expensive. From my own experience I cannot imagine dairy farmers waxing enthusiastic over the-Government's subsidised labour proposal. A" lad might be tanght how to milk in a week, but that is very far removed from an efficient carrying out of the job. I am taking only one item in farming into consideration. A good deal of harm can be done to other stock by inexperience. If farm labour is to be subsidised it will need to be under very different conditions. IXTEBESTEB.