FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 142, 3 April 1940, Page 4

FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE

tfhe discussion on the vexed question of the farm labour shortage, at the Primary Production Council meeting yesterday, serves as an illuminating sample of the mentality of many of our district farmers and their distinct objection to come forward and help themselves. As one member stated, it was simply'idiotic, to announce that there was not a shortage, and a dangerous one at that, but 011 the othei han when an attempt is made to meet the position, by sending out circulars to district farmers to fill in showing their requirements in this direction, the response is practically ml. Had it not been for the Waimana deputation, the Council! would have been completely without evidence of the shortage, and the problem would have remained as aerate and as unsolved as it is at present. Had this taken place, the farmers as a body could only have had themselves to blame. iWiamana has however relieved the position and the suggestion of a district camp, from which subsidised workers from the P.W.D-, could be drawn to meet the requirements from time to time is a helpful and constructive one, which should, if the Government is in earnest regarding its destre to assist m primary production, result in something being done along the lines suggested.