DEMAND FOR LABOUR.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19100, 10 November 1933, Page 7

DEMAND FOR LABOUR.

POSITION OF FARMERS.

CAMPS TOO ATTRACTIVE.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Friday. A statement on the employment offering on farms as compared with the attractions of the relief camps was made by the Minister of Employment In the House of Representatives this morning when Mr F. Lye (Government —Waikato) asked the reason for the reduction in the relief rate of pay in single men’s camps from 25s to 20s per week. The Minister, Hon. A. Hamilton, said In many parts of the Auckland province farmers and others were experiencing difficulty In obtaining the services of men and It had been repre- , sented that conditions in many camps were such that men would not leave ’to accept outside work. The unemployment board had recently decided to reduce the allowance to single men in camps throughout the Auckland province and if they were dissatisfied with the rate of pay they had an opportunity of accepting the better rates being offered in many places. He said he had in his hand a copy of an Auckland paper containing about a column and a-half of advertisements for workers. Mr N. E. Barnard (Labour — Napier) : What wages are offering? Mr Hamilton: Quite reasonable wages. We are receiving a number of complaints that farmers ■ to-day cannot get the necessary labour.