The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1935. FARM LABOUR.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13088, 23 October 1935, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1935. FARM LABOUR.

With oil our unemployed (the figures run into thousands) farmers are unable to secure suitable farm labour. The dear th of men seeking this class of employment, is disturbing. The shortage of workers locally lias seldom, been so acute. The arguments advanced by Mr J. H. Brenmer and other speakers at yesterday’s Farmers’ Union meeting were particularly sound and showed a, thoughtful understanding of the position. It showed that farmers were not unwilling to lay part of the blame lor this contretemps at their own door. The small number of youths who were found employment on farms last year by the Board a,s compared with the huge tally of, those suited in the towns was staggering. It would certainly appear that work on farms is in no way attractive. The long hours expected of a farm-hand may have a. lot to do with it. If he can work in a town from 8 a.m. till -5 p.m. at a fair wage he is not so prone to be tempted onto a farm at from 10s to 25s per week where he will probably- have to work from 4 o’clock in the morning till 8 o’clock at night (Sundays included) This is not always the case, of course, but frequently so. Complaint was further levelled at some farmers who did not sufficiently- study the feelings and comforts of the boy-s to make their occupation agreeable. The extenuating plea that the farmer has been too poor himself to give the wage and comforts expected is all right up to a point but there are no doubt dozens of little ways in which lie could have considered his farm-hand without any additional cost to himself. The suggestion that the Unemployment Beard has some scheme in mind whereby- boys will be encouraged to go back ou cte land is welcome news and the idea of subsidising their rate, of pay- will not only assist- the farmer but give the young farmers of the future a handy- little nest-egg at the terminaxaon of five years’ or so apprenticeship.