FARMERS’ UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20261, 9 November 1935, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION

TIMARU-ST. ANDREWS BRANCH FIELD DAY PROPOSAL The Timaru-St. Aildrews branch of the Farmers’ Union met yesterday. Present—Messrs B. E. Evans (chairman), J. J. Dickson, J. J. Hall, R. Wisley, D. M. France, A. H. Cookson, J. Stowell, A. Ward, P. R. Talbot, W. J. Black and G. Squire. The Provincial Executive advised that it had been decided not to visit Lincoln College this year, but desired an expression of opinion as to whether a field day could be held in South Canterbury. Members considered that a very interesting day could be spent at the experimental farm run by the Pleasant Point District High School, when addresses and demonstrations could be given on all phases of farming activity. It was decided to support the executive’s suggestion that a field day be held at Pleasant Point. No Labour Shortage The provincial secretary (Mr A. B. Struthers) wrote asking the branch to discuss the matter of the difficulty experienced by farmers in obtaining labour for seasonal and routine farm work. He had received a letter from the Dominion secretary to the effect that numerous representations had been made to the Unemployment Board regarding the difficulty experienced by many farmers in obtaining labour for seasonal or routine farm work, the contention being that' the workers preferred the conditions and wages payable under the various relief schemes to farm work. Mr Talbot considered that the North Island offered more scope for seasonal men than the South Island. He had no trouble in securing seasonal labour. Mr France said that the position might be felt in the North Island, where there was considerable dairying. Mr Ward said that the difficulty of men on relief work was that if they secured two or three days’ work they had to stand down for a fortnight.. “During the depression,” said Mr Ward, “when prices were down, farm labourers were prepared to meet the position and it was impossible to find a more loyal body of men.” It was stated that prices were on the improve, and that with the proposed public works programme there should be an acute shortage of farm labour. Farmers would shortly have to pay higher, wages to secure suitable men. Mr Dickson: If prices improve we will be only too pleased to pay higher wages. Replying to a suggestion that immigration should again be considered by the Government, Mr Stowell said that the first thing the Dominion should do was to absorb the present labour offering. It was said that some people were starving and they all knew that there was a good deal of unemployment. It was decided to reply that there was no shortage of labour in the branch’s district, the ruling rates being: Single men, £1 to 30/- a week and found; married couples, free cottage and wife no duties, £2/10/- to £3 a week. Members spoke of their visit to the display of work at the Timaru Technical College and praised the very fine exhibition.

It was decided to congratulate the ..students of the College on their success at the recent A. and P. Show.