LABOUR ON FARMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25090, 4 December 1942, Page 2

LABOUR ON FARMS

MINISTER’S STATEMENT REGARDED AS A THREAT Some resentment has been aroused in Otago by the statement of the Minister of Industrial Man-power, Mr A, McLagan, that the farmer should understand clearly that, if he does not take the opportunity still open to him of securing holiday labour for the classes of work which can be performed by senior boys and students, he should not expect to obtain labour for such classes of work by the release of men from the army. When the Minister’s statement was referred to Mr A. C, Leary, chairman of the Otago Primary Production Council, he said that as far as Otago was concerned every effort had been made to find engagements for high school boys and girls, students, and teachers, and a large number of these had already been placed. This class of labour could be utilised to advantage by fruit farmeis and market gardeners, but most fruit farmers had already made arrangements for labour, and many of those who had been employed last year were going to the same jobs. Mr Leary added that the average Otago farmer who was behind with his seasonal work badly needed experienced men, and although doubtless a certain number of boys could be utilised as assistants, they were not capable of working except under constant supervision. What the Minister appeared to overlook was the fact that experienced farm labourers were specialists and could no more be replaced by inexperienced youths than could an experienced tradesman. The main demand had been for the release of shearers, musterers. teamsters, and experienced tractor drivers. It was obvious that labour of the class indicated by the Minister could not take the place of the type of men required for these jobs.

”J deplore the fact that the Minister lias seen fit to hold a threat over the heads of the farmeis of New Zealand,” Mr Leary said, “ and, speaking for Otago, I can assure him that no appeals are being supported by primary production committees other than for men who are badly needed. At the present time very few appeals for men for seasonal work other than shearing and mustering are being lodged. The great need in this province is for experienced men who are required to do the main work of the farm.”

Mr Leary said that many farmers would gladly take a youth, despite the fact that he could be of little assistance, provided they could obtain domestic assistance in the house to re-

lieve their already overburdened wives. This w'as one of the major problems in country districts to-day. | FARMERS NOT CONSULTED j | UNSKILLED LABOUR PROBLEM I 1.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. | "If the Minister had consulted the 1 j farmers’ organisations about the scheme, adequate publicity would have been arranged and considerable assistance given," said Mr A. P. O'Shea. Dominion secretary of the Farmers’ Union, commenting on Mr McUagan's statement yesterday about the use of schoolboys, students, and teachers on farms. “It is also to be regretted that Mr McLagan did not consult people with a knowledge of the farming industry before making his statement. Such statements contribute nothing towards the solution of a very complex and difficult problem. “ Discussions with farmers’ representatives would have established that the uses to which completely unskilled labour can be put on farms to-day are ponsiderably restricted," Mr O'Shea added. “ Farmers’ organisations would have readily given all assistance in their power, for last year schoolboys, in particular, gave considerable help to farmers.”