FARM LABOUR SCARCITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19070, 18 July 1936, Page 12

FARM LABOUR SCARCITY

QUESTIONED BY FARMERS RELIEF WORK ATTRACTION A statement that there was a scarcity of farm labour in the Gisborne district was questioned by a member of the Poverty Day executive of the farmers' Onion at the monthly meeting yesterday afternoon. A discussion on the matter was introduced b>- Mr. T. W. Sowoll, who moved thai men under i'.\ years of age should nrii secure the standard rates ~r pay on public works, so as to make nice,' labour available tor farms. Mr. \Y. T. Veiled seconded this. Mr. M. T. B. flail: Is there a shortage of farm labour'? Mr. Si'well: 1 have had no trouble, but t here is a shortage. .Mr. Hall said Hint if the farmers would not pay high enough wages, farm employees would be always changing. Mr. 11. D. Hull said that the .Minister of finance had annouiiced that the farmer would be given sufficient money to pny r higher wages. The president, .Mr. J. I']. Benson: Vim are going lo be doing pretty well to pay a cowboy His a day. .Air. Hall: .1 have never had any difficulty in securing farm labour, and :i good class, too. The secretary, Mr. C. Blackburn, stated thai some farmers had complained that men had secured jobs picking maize, and during the week had knocked oil' to return to town to put in their work for the dole. The president said that he hud found it difficult at times to secure men for hay-making because the men had to take their turn on the dole. Mr. Sewell's motion was withdrawn,