WORKERS ON FARMS

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20692, 30 December 1938, Page 6

WORKERS ON FARMS

PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION INTENTIONS OF GOVERNMENT (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Thursday The intention of the Government in the near future to make money available to farmers at a low rate of interest in order to allow them to build accommodation for employees was indicated by the Minister of Labour, the lion. P. C. Webb, to-night. Unfortunately, some farmers, he said, who were in need of labour, were seriously handicapped through lack of suitable accommodation for the men. When young men were sent on to farms where the accommodation was poor and the social surroundings such as to place them virtually in isolation, without contact even with the farmer's family, discontent rapidly developed and the men soon left their jobs.- He had been informed that where accommodation was good and the farm workers could enjoy a reasonable degree of social life little difficulty was experienced in providing labour. Until accommodation on farms could be brought up to a reasonable standard of comfort, said Mr Webb, it would be difficult to induce young men to remain at. farm work. Farmers should co-operate more with the local placement officers, who would endeavour to meet their requirements. Labour in Waikato The various certifying officers throughout the Waikato reported yesterdav that the position in regard to farm "labour in the different districts was as follows: —Ntgaruawahia: No requests for labour had been received from local farmers, whose needs could be supplied. Cambridge: No requests for labour; eight men available. Otorohanga: No requests; men available. Te Awamutu: Working in conjunction with the Farmers’ Union; all requests to date had been met and 20 men were available. Putaruru: No requests to date for harvesters: nine men available. Huntly: No requests received and plenty of labour available. Morrinsville: No requests; 15 men immediately available and many others inquiring for harvesting work. Hamilton: Thirty men available at the placement office and others seeking work, but none was offering.