FARM LABOUR PROBLEM

Southland Times, Issue 23335, 20 October 1937, Page 6

FARM LABOUR PROBLEM

MANY COMPLAINTS RECEIVED PREFERENCE FOR OTHER EMPLOYMENT (Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, October 19. The labour scarcity on farms is now much more acute than it was at this period last year according to Mr A. E. Robinson, secretary of the Auckland district of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Mr Robinson said he was receiving many complaints and the position with the development of the season was desperate on many farms for cows had to be tended and milked even if there were no outside labour to assist. Even when labour was secured it often comprised men who had come from other farms. Thus he knew of one farmer, who after four months of efforts to get labour, had secured the services of a man but this man had been employed elsewhere in the country. So far as the placement service was concerned there were many youths and young men registered as out of employment but they were trained in occupations other than farming and they did not care to lose the chance of getting back into their trades by taking work in the country. “Really” continued Mr Robinson, “it would be amazing if the supply of farm labour were not inadequate. There are lots of capable men used to farm work and who have learned to drive trucks who naturally prefer to get other employment, such as on Public Works at higher wages.” Mr Robinson said some of the county councils were unable to secure the labour required because married men who wanted work did not care to be engaged long distances from their homes.