SHEARERS SCARCE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 60, Issue 4235, 24 January 1940, Page 2

SHEARERS SCARCE

EFFECT OF THE WAR. GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED. Concern was expressed by members of the Waikato District Council of Primary Production at a meeting in Hamilton on Tuesday, at the rapid decline in the numbers of trained shearers available in New Zealand. Several considered that station owners were not giving the necessary encouragement to learners and it was decided to ask the Government to inaugurate classes for young shearers. A circular letter from the Director of Primary Production stated that, although the supply of labour for shearing was more satisfactory than was anticipated earlier in the season, the National Council was of the opinion that if the war continued the supply of good shearers was likely to be reduced. That was a tendency that had been occurring apart from any war conditions, and the average age of shearers was becoming higher. The Department of Education, the circular continued, had inaugurated sheep shearing classes in schools but with limited success. However, the department was prepared to extend its efforts and the council would be able to assist considerably in the matter of learner shearers. The ratio of learners to experienced hands employed, under the award, was 1 to 5, but that was not always followed. It was stated that in Waikato there were few sheds which employed five or more shearers.