CASUAL FARM LABOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23702, 9 January 1939, Page 8

CASUAL FARM LABOUR

OVERCOMING THE SHORTAGE PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS A CONFERENCE PROPOSED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. Offering to meet representatives of the farmers, Mr A. Cook, general secretary of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, made a suggestion in a statement to-day which, if accepted, he says, would provide a solution of the difficulties in securing casual farm labour. Farmers in different parts of the country complain about a shortage of casual labour for shearing and harvesting, many of them blaming the Public Works Department for the alleged shortage. “This,” Mr Cook says, “is ridiculous. There are two factors concerning the shortage of casual farm laboqr, if any—first, the unseasonable weather experienced during the past six weeks', and secondly, and most important, the lack of inducement for men take on this work. For this, the farmers themselves are to blame. The farmers, in the main, are rather selfish. I appeal to them to study the casual worker’s position. Generally speaking, they want him for only a few weeks in each year, and how he lives for the rest of the year does not concern them. Is it any wonder that a man lucky enough to secure some permanent job should desire to stick to it and not throw it up for a few weeks’ casual employment? “ I am prepared to meet any number of farmers’ representatives,” Mr Cook said, “to discuss with them the position and place before them proposals for a solution of the difficulty. Should an understanding be reached, we will guarantee that a shortage of farm labour in future years will be unknown. Some of the main points that the union will put forward will be: “1. Group shearing, whereby a gang or gangs of shearers will be guaranteed a run of sheds, proceeding from one farm to another situated in close proximity, thereby cutting out a large amount of hours that are at present lost by workers id travelling long distances between sheds.

“ 2. A scheme whereby farm labourers can be settled in country districts with their families and guaranteed full-time work with one or more farmers throughout the year. "3. A system of group work whereby farmers can obtain sufficient labour at short notice for urgent seasonal work. “ 4. A standard of living quarters for workers required to live on a farm.

“5. A rate of wages to be paid possibly based on the export value of the commodities produced on a farm, viz., wool, meat, butter, cheese, honey, etc. “ What we want,” Mr Cook concluded, “ is a full, frank discussion of all the problems that concern the farmer and the farm workers, to study both aspects, and to agree to co-operate the work for the good of ourselves and' the welfare of our country.”