FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23946, 23 October 1939, Page 6

FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE

Ministers of the Crown have need to exercise care lest in speaking on the same subject they make statements which are difficult of reconciliation. An illustration in point is provided in week-end utterances by Mr Webb and Mr Semple on the subject of farm labour shortage, which are of such different purport and so seemingly contradictory in their tenor that the primary producer may well be excused a disposition to find in them a strong incentive to give vent to his feelings in

the language of exasperation. The Minister of Labour repudiates the suggestion that there is a shortage of farm workers, and seems to consider a sufficient proof of that to be afforded in a comparison of the number of recorded vacancies with a greater number of men officially listed as available. The Minister of Public Works, however, has gone on quite another tack. By implication he concedes that the farmers are not getting the labour they require. He has veritably appealed to public works employees to seek “ leave of absence” in order that they may undertake farm and other seasonal work, and so contribute to the maintenance and increase of primary production. His exhortation is not without its humorous aspect. It is to be feared that all the emphasis placed by Mr Semple, very properly, on the importance of primary production, and his appeal for their assistance in increasing production to the maximum, may be rather wasted on the desert air. so far as the rank and file of our army of public works employees are concerned. For in respect of the performance of the largely unproductive work upon ' which they are actually engaged they have just received the encouragement of an intimation of a retrospective increase of their wages which must tend to make them the better satisfied to remain where they are. They will undoubtedly appreciate this tangible encouragement not to be weary in well-doing. The idea of a temporary diversion of their energies to seasonal occupations, to productive work of the highest importance to the Dominion and to the Empire, work with no forty-hour limit, may not greatly move them; even as framed by Mr Sempl4 against a glowing patriotic background. And should their attitude be one of doubt or questioning they may now pardonably quote what the Minister of Labour has said, and why they should offer their services where they are not required. Mr Webb’s reliance upon evidence furnished by the Placement Officje, of which the effect is little more than that it has some men on its books who are supposed to be able to clo farm work, is really too confiding. The measure of success of the Stajte Placement Service, however admirable its zeal and organisation, jin meeting the farmers’ labour requirements is far from convincing. There is no reason to doubt that therel is a serious shortage of labour for farms, and that it is being aggravated by the enlistment of farm workers. In this connection it is to be hoped that the projected central counciljfor the co-ordination of procedure relative to the use of man-power may successfully direct its activities to the end that the prosecution iof essential industries may not be. unduly impaired by an inability to secure the labour that is requisite.