FARM LABOUR PROBLEM

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3831, 9 November 1936, Page 5

FARM LABOUR PROBLEM

“GOVERNMENT GENUINELY CONCERNED.” STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. Before the business of the meeting was commenced at the monthly meeting of the Waikato sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union on Friday, the president, Mr S. N. Ziman, extended a welcome to the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, who had accepted an invitation to attend. Mr J. H. Furniss stated that he had frequently met the Minister in Wellington on matters relating to farmers’ problems, and he had always been given every assistance. Every facility the Minister had in his power had been put at the disposal of Farmers' Union representatives. In expressing thanks for the welcome extended to him the Minister stated that he would like to refer to a question which had been occupying the attention of farmers —the shortage of farm labour. The Government would appreciate the assistance of the Farmers’ Union and individual members in the matter. “We are genuinely concerned over this matter,” added the Minister, “and I have discussed the question with the placement officers of the Department of Labour. The Government is anxious to see that the primary producer has all the labour he requires, and anything that can possibly be done will be done by the Government in that direction.” SUSTENANCE MEN. Mr Martin said that the Government had arranged to have a statement issued to the press and broadcast expressing what they had in view. In addition instructions were being issued to dairy farm instructors and inspectors, that when moving among the farmers they should find out how the farmer was situated and communicate with the placement officer and head of the department. “Some think that we are keeping men on sustenance who are capable of taking up some work,” continued the Minister, “but if a man can do the work he will be put off sustenance. At the same time it must be remembered that a large number of the men on sustenance would not be of any use at all on a farm. Even in times of prosperity we have had un employable classes. Of the men who are on sustenance very few are capable of more than a few days' work here and there. We do recognise some could do work, and we will find them work and expect them to do it. We want you to feel we are anxious to do what we set out to do.” Mr Martin said instructions had been issued to the Public Works Department that any men in their employ who were capable of doing seasonal work would be expected to do that work, after which they could return to the department.

The matter was one for the Minister of Labour, who hoped to come to the Waikato in the next few weeks to investigate the farm labour problem. Mr F. L. Onion expressed appreciation ol Mr Martin’s visit. He stated that the farm labour shortage would be acute in the harvesting season. In December the farmer would be at his busiest and It had been suggested that to alleviate the acute shortage in that period the men on ragwort eradication could be utilised. THE RAGWORT PROBLEM. The Minister replied that at the time the harbesting was done the ragwort was advanced and should be dealt with before seeding. An enormous problem had to be faced with the ragwort. Mr J. H. Furniss agreed that the ragwort problem was one of urgency. There was plenty of work available for labouring men without the need of public works. Mr Furniss suggested that public works could be postponed until the winter and the men could be used for the harvest. Much of the farm labour from the placement scheme was of little value. It had been suggested that some steps be taken to train the men or they could be apprenticed to the farmer and their wages supplemented by the Government. After a brief discussion the Minister stated that the Government would welcome any practical suggestions, and he suggested that Mr Furniss formulate a plan and submit it to the Government. It would receive every attention. It was decided to appoint a committee from the Te Awamutu branch, as that branch was already investigating the position. The committee should study the possibility of some effective plan of training farm” labour and report to the next meeting of the Waikato sub-provincial executive. Before the Minister left Mr Ziman stated that the executive appreciated his visit very much. The farm labour question was greatly exercising the minds of farmers.