HARVEST LABOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21867, 21 January 1941, Page 9

HARVEST LABOUR

Sir,—According to a statement made by the Temuka Borough Council foreman (Mr T. Devine) there seems to be some misunderstanding. First, I would like to state that farmers appreciate the services offered by the Borough and County Councils in regard to placing men at the disposal of the farmer and I am sure that practically all farmers would be only too willing to co-operate in any scheme that will give the desired result. Briefly, I wish to state that at the last meeting of the Temuka Branch of the Farmers’ Union, I mentioned that at present 16 to 18 men were available for harvest work. There were also some men who had gone out hand hoeing and had not reported back for work, besides a number of men who would not; be able to do continuous hard work but would fill a gap for half a day or so. There were not the same number of men available for harvest work this season as last. It was authoritatively stated at the last Production Council meeting in Timaru that there was a shortage of first class men and the position would become worst as time went on. Owing to the unprecedented heat, there is not the usual difference in the ripening of 9J°P s , in the surrounding districts, and it looks as if there will be a shortage of men for about 10 days to a fortnight during the height of the harvest season. It was no use the Farmers' Union waiting until an actual shortage occurs before any move was made, hence the request to the Minister to have Public Works men available in case the Borough or County could not supply men. The present course of having to go through the Placement Office is too slow for harvest time. During stacking or stook threshing operations a secondclass worker retards the progress of the whole operation, and the farmer has to pay first-class wages, thereby adding an extra burden to his ever growing costs.—l am, etc.,

C. R. BARNETT. Winchester, January 18.