FARM LABOUR

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3813, 25 September 1936, Page 6

FARM LABOUR

VARIOUS OPINIONS EXPRESSED. DISCUSSION BY FARMERS’ UNION. As was to be expected, one of the most interesting subjects dealt with at Thursday’s meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the Farmers’ Union, was that of dairymen obtaining suitable labour for theii’ herds. Acknowledging a resolution from the branch re the difficulties of obtaining farm labour, the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong), wrote stating that the Government has given careful 1 iconsideration to the question of farm labour, and it is confidently anticipated that the legislation contained in the Agricultural Workers’ Bill, which has now been passed, will overcome difficulties at present experienced by farmers in securing necessary labour. Until such time, as the effects of the new legislation become apparent, it is not considered necessary to consider the question of subsidising the wages of farm labour.

During a brief discussion on the difficulties of farm labour, it was claimed that the Labour Department’s expressed intention of allocating or diverting sustenance men for employment by farmers was sure- to be unsatisfactory, for the reason that under this method there would be no assurance that suitable workers would be available.

!Mr Cavers, said the Agricultural Workers’ Act is very important, and would probably prove more satisfactory to the industry than some people appeared to think now. It should be given a fair trial. The secretary read the main provisions of the legislation. The chairman commented that with all the legislation bearing on the farming industry it seemed to him that it would be necessary for all farmers to go back to school again to learn accountancy, book-keeping, and allied subjects. ’ The point was raised that there is no indication of wages to be paid, or otherwise, to a farmer’s wife who has to go and help in the milking shed. Mr Wyllie thought the married couple engaged on a farm was placed at a big disadvantage with the employee on Public Works. The married couple would have to be paid the full minimum wages (£6 per week in all), which was the same as two men employees. The choice by employers would be for two men in most cases. This would force married couples off the farms, and into other avenues.

Mr Cavers agreed, and urged prompt action to have this position amended. He thought the Act, generally, was fair and reasonable, but this was a matter requiring investigation.

The chairman said the farmers did not want to be unfair to their employees, but with guaranteed prices there was a limit to what a farmer could give. Mr Wilson questioned the application of the half-holiday provisions, and the limitation of employment to lads not yet fifteen years of age. Some of the latter had left school, yet would not be given employment. Mr Wyllie made the point that there was need for clarifying some asnects of the legislation. He had been watching for interpretations of the provisions for half-holidays, and it seemed that where a married couple is employed both would observe the same half holiday, entailing that the employer would be left to carry on alone with the task of milking perhaps 60 or 70 cows. When it was suggested that the Minister be telegraphed to seeking explanation of one or two points raised, Mr Crawley said Mr H. O. Mellsop had been deputed by the Auckland Provincial Executive to proceed to Wellington to endeavour to have such points interpreted by the Ministers or Department. His report should be available in a day or two.

It was decided to despatch a telegram to the Minister, seeking interpretation as to the wage position of a wife in the case of a married couple employed in dairying and also the half holiday provision for farm workers. Mention was made of the possibility of farm apprentices befog legislated for, just 'as is done in other trades.

The chairman said farmers must be. prepared to face up to the need for improving conditions of employees on the farms. When this is done—and only then—will the farm labour problem solve itself. Mr Hodgson moved that it be a recommendation to the Waikato subIprovincial executive to endeavour to drive home to the Government the necessity for enabling the farmers to secure adequate farm labour, and that the branch takes exception to such statements in regard to farm labour as made recently by Mr J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, to the effect that a man and one boy could quite easily manage a herd of from 50 to 60 cows.—Carried unanimously.