LABOUR ON FARMS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21043, 20 February 1940, Page 2

LABOUR ON FARMS

EFFECT OF ENLISTMENT NEED FOR CLARIFICATION (Special to Times) AUCKLAND. Monday The enlistment of farm workers was discussed to-day by the Auckland District Council of Primary Production. The chairman. Mr R. C. Clark, said many knew that agricultural work - ers were enlisting and being accepted because they did not give information which revealed that they were engaged on farms. It had been said by some that the percentage of farm labourers enlisting was greater than the number from the more sheltered branches of life. Colonel N. P. Adams said he doubted if the council had the right to say that these men should not enlist. It was a voluntary procedure and, if they chose to go, then all power to them. The question was whether they were key men who could not be replaced. “I am not prepared to say that farm labourers should be reserved,” commented Mr A. Best. “These people must live their own lives. I would certainly not recall any of my men who enlisted.” Procedure Followed The Placement Officer, Mr J. R. Elsbury, explained that when a farm labourer sought to enlist he made inquiries from his employer as to what could be done in the matter of releasing the man. If the recruit was a farmer on his own account, he was asked what arrangements had been made to enable the farm to be carried on in his absence. The replies to these questions were forwarded to the authorities in Wellington and they decided on appropriateaction.

In reply to questions, Mr Elsbury said there were plenty of men who could be trained as farm workers, but they were not willing to take up the task. The number of men on the No. 13 Scheme in the city would, after training, be ample to fill the needs of both the Auckland and Waikato districts if accommodation were available. It was decided to ask the National Council of Primary Production to clarify the position concerning the enlistment of agricultural workers. No specific action was taken to further a training scheme, the opinion being expressed that it was in the category of a national question.