FARM LABOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21575, 10 February 1940, Page 8

FARM LABOUR

Acute Shortage

Position Stated to Be Serious

“It is a very serious thing if essential industries are not going to be manned,’’ stated Mr A. S. Elworthy at a meeting of the Timaru A. and P. Association yesterday, in referring to the difficulty experienced in obtaining men to operate threshing mills.

Mr Elworthy said that a mill had gone on his property but the owner could not get sufficient men to work and he had had to supply some of his own men to thresh out of the stack. He had been informed that other farmers had had similar experiences.

Mr C. L. Orbell instanced the case of two millowners who were unable to get men. while the fanners were waiting for the work to be done. Mr Elworthy suggested that the position be brought to the notice of the Labour Department.

Mr T. R. Rhodes mentioned that farmers were also having difficulty in getting men for harvesting. The position was liable to be more acute when men at present on farms began working at the freezing works, said Mr Elworthy. After further discussion it was agreed to refer the matter to the Labour Department. the Minister of Employment and the Placement Officer.