SUPPLY OF LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 50

SUPPLY OF LABOUR.

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. WELLINGTON, December 22. Replying at the Christchurch Wheat Conference, which was held in camera, on the question with regard to the labour difficulty, the Hon Mr MacDonald (Minister of Agriculture) said the labour question had not been lost sight of. It was realised that this was one of the gravest factors in the problem with which we are' faced. Last year the Government sent a circular to each of the farmers' unions throughout the dominion, asking for the position in regard to farm labour and offering to send any labour available. We received no The Government has sent a similar circular this year. If any district desired it we would send an organiser there. _ Still no _ replies have been received. That is the position in regard to that matter. I am absolutely in agreement with those farmers who say that expert ploughmen must _ necessarily bo exempted from military service because there are no munitions of war so necessary as foodstuffs. There are a few industries in New Zealand to which we will have to give special consideration. So soon as we receive the census statistics and find the number of men available in Now Zealand the Government, with the assistance of the farmers, will be able to organise the position so that men who are essential for carrying on farming pursuits will get exemption for a certain period. We have recognised that one of the greatest difficulties in connection with the farming industry is the aeutenoss in the demand for labour for harvesting, cropping, and stocking. Wo have aleo instructed the field supervisors right throughout the farming districts, and they have found that there is a scarcity of labour, but with the co-operation of tho farmers and with other sources of labour during tho holiday season they will be able to save tha harvest—that is, if it is reasonably gooa weather.