SHORTAGE OF SHEARERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14703, 7 September 1918, Page 3

SHORTAGE OF SHEARERS.

NOT LIKELY TO BECOMK ) ';■:-.. ACUTE. - {Special to the HeraJd.) CHRISTCHUROH, this day. There- will be an -undoubted .shortage of shearers this season, but that with the management of labor resources the position was not one that was likely to become acute, ' was ; the impression conveyed to a Sun representative who made inquiries locally to-day. "There was a shortage last "year," Baid a prominent labor agent. "Then.: three or four men comprised the average board, where previously the number was 10 to 12. Tlie position this season may possibly be a. little worse, bui with management there is no. need for alarm. 'The early and late sheds will get the men required. It is the season when shearing, is general that the trouble will arise. Farmers might bear this in mind when making their arrangement's." Tlie various country committees of adr vice under the National lEfßciency Board apparently are not viewing the position : with concern: This fact was ascertained from inquiries made at the Canterbury office of the board. It was stated thatit was recognised that the shortage of shearers would be greater this year, but that the committees no doubt would bo.! able to assist materially m the short-* age. It would be more pronounced m", the case of the small farmer, for the:; regular cjass of labor would give pre--ference to the lai*ge stations, i where" there would be little broken time save through weather changes. In the closely-; settled districts, however, as was tne* case last year, farmers could work in'. 1 together. . ' ;