SHORTAGE OF SHEARERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21783, 12 October 1940, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF SHEARERS

Requests Of A. and P. Association Minister Sympathetic A full measure of support to the representations of the Timaru A. and P. Association to the Minister of ManPower for the marshalling of experienced shearers to relieve an acute shortage in the district has been accorded by the Minister, according to a reply from the Hon. D. Wilson, MLC, associate Minister, which was read at a meeting of the Association yesterday. The resolution, which was drawn up after the last meeting and forwarded to the Minister, pointed out that a serious shortage of shearers had occurred in South Canterbury and asked the Minister to make an appeal to all ex-shearers to return to shearing as a national duty and as part of their war effort. The Minister was also asked to arrange for the temporary release of shearers from defence duties wherever possible. “The representations submitted by you have been carefully noted, and I may say that this is a matter which has been receiving my very serious consideration,” wrote Mr Wilson, on behalf of the Minister. “I shall be pleased to meet the request that an appeal be made in the newspapers for ex-shearers to return to shearing as a national duty, and sincerely hope that it will be a means of assisting the farmers in the forthcoming season. “With reference to the request that temporary release of shearers from defence duties should be arranged, I may say that a special survey’ has been made of all persons at present on Home Defence duties, and I hope that it can be arranged for experienced men to be returned to primary production. You will appreciate, however, that it is necessary to ensure that Home Defence units, especially coastal batteries, etc., are fully manned, but everything possible will be done so that skilled men can be returned to assist the shortage of farm labour. “So far as Territorial training of shearers is concerned, Man-Power Committees have been instructed carefully to Investigate the cases of all experienced men with a view to ensuring that there will be no serious disruption of essential work, and I can assure you that the position regarding shearers will be especially watched in this connection. “I am pleased to note that the sheepowners of South Canterbury are being asked to co-operate with the Labour Department in arranging for shearers to obtain uninterrupted work wherever possible,” Mr Wilson concluded, “and the Placement Officers will be pleased to assist as much as possible in tills connection."