FARM DANGERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 14

FARM DANGERS

CHILDREN IN SHEDS FREQUENCY OF ACCIDENTS LABOUR SHORTAGE BLAMED WOMEN HELPING HUSBANDS A direct connection between the recent substantial increase in accidents in and about milking-sheds in various parts of tho Auckland Province and tho acute shortage of skilled labour for farm work, resulting in a return of women and children to tho sheds, is seen by many dairy farmers. They blame tho Government for the present difficulty in securing competent farm workers, which has been responsible for many women being obliged to assist their husbands on tho farm. "The difficulty in getting competent men for farm work is duo to tho 40hour week and higher wages offering on Government jobs," a farmer said yesterday. "Men on farms ofton have to work 80 hours a week, and on Sundays, for poorer wages than aro offering on Public Works jobs and elsewhere, and naturally all tho good men have left the land. Generally, only the incompetent men aro left available, derelicts and misfits, whom the farmers will not have. A Case of Necessity

"As a result, women and children aro back in the sheds. Many farmers' wives havo nobody to look after their children, and thus tho children aro taken to tho shed while their mother helps with the milking. Young children cannot assist in the shed, but aro taken so that their mothers can keep an eye on them., "It was the Government's policy to keep women and children out of tho sheds, and to give tho farmer such a price for his butter-fat that he could have a reasonable, amount of comfort, but it has not worked out that way. Women do not want to go to tho sheds, or to tako their children there, but it is a case of necessity. Exposed to Many Risks "Children are exposed to many dangers in a milking-shed, in view of the use of machinery and hot water, and tho presence of animals," the speaker continued. "The machinery is perhaps not always installed in a foolproof manner, and while it may offer no danger to adults, it is a risk to have children running about. In any case, irrespective of tho very real danger that exists, children have no business to be about the shed, and would not be there unless their mothers forced to take them. With sufficient farm labourers offering, tho women and children could leave the sheds, and there would be a great reduction in accidents."