FARM LABOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23233, 30 December 1938, Page 8

FARM LABOUR

NO LACK OF. MEN MINISTER'S VIEWS ACCOMMODATION LACKING STATE LOANS PROPOSALS "There is a greater supply of labour arranged for farmers to draw upon than has been the case for manj years," stated the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, last night. "Unfortunately some farmers in need of labour are seriously handicapped through lack of suitable accommodation for the men," he added, "and it is tho Government's intention in the near future to make money available to the farmers at a low rate of interest to build accommodation for employees. According to the latest advice received from the employment division of the department at Hamilton, Mr. Webb said, there was sufficient labour available to meet the demands of farmers for harvesting work. If farmers were in need of labour they should apply immediately to the placement office. Position in Waikato The various pertifying officers throughout the Waikato reported yesterday that the position in the different districts was as follows: —Ngaruawahia. no requests for labour had been 10eeived from local farmers, whose needs could be supplied. Cambridge: No requests for labour; eight men available. Otorohanga: No requests; men available. Te Awamutu: Working in conjunction with the Farmers' Union; all requests to date had been met and 20 men were available. Putaruru: No requests to date for harvesters; nine men available. Huntlv: No requests received and plenty of labour available. Morrinsville: No requests; 15 men immediately available and many others inquiring for harvesting work. Hamilton: Thirty men available at the placement office and others seeking work, but none was offering. Causes of Discontent Upon the subject of conditions at some farms, Mr. AN ebb said that when 1 young men were sent on to farms ! where the accommodation was poor and the social surroundings such as to place them virtually in isolation, without contact even with the farmer's family, discontent rapidly developed and the men soon left their jobs. His officers informed him that where accommodation was good and farm workers could enjoy a reasonable degree of social life little difficulty was experienced in providing labour. "Until such time as accommodation on farms can be brought up to a reasonable standard of comfort," Mr. Webb concluded, "it will be difficult to induce young men to remain at farm work. If farmers would co-operate more with the local placement officers and give them an idea of the number and class of men they required, officers would immediately get to Avork in an endeavour to meet their requirements."