ROUND ABOUT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 213, 16 September 1940, Page 5

ROUND ABOUT

(By Aitcliel) The business of farm labour, described in the article, on this page as 'ever-green,' is so much that way that it might almost be mouldy. The farmers at the present timei have a very good ease regarding the shortage of farm labour and there was logic in the contention of the Primary Production Council member who suggested that if, as the Government stated, there were sufficient men for the replacement of those farm labourers going into camp with the Territorials, the replacements should do the military service and allow the embryo fanners to remain in their positionsa m m » • There is always the chance that the Government will one day realise that a war is in progress and will also realise that this country could do more tc assist the cause of the Empire by providing the necessary primary products. The first clause in the above sentence is included because, by its attitude towards the labour problem, both primary and secondary departments, the Government still pursues peace-lime tactics. a * « » When the forty-hour week .was

introduced everything in the NewZealand garden was lovely;. We had turned the corner*; as so often; promised during the depression, and peace and prosperity abounded.) Perhaps forty hours per week sufficient service at that time. But now, when every effort is required, when the workers in Britain's factories (especially munitions) are working an average of 58 hours per week—realising the grave necessity —the workers of New Zealand finish work at .5 p.m. 6n Friday -and resume again on Monday morning. • • • • • I might almost be a farmer myself,. but at any rate I can appreciate their thoughts when they see the continuation of such conditions in secondary industries when they are asked to produce more (how often have we heard that call?) thq sake of the country's war effort, and are robbed cf even the barest chance of securing the necessary labour. • But then; on the other hand, we read reports of circulars being sent to farmers inviting them to state their labour lequirements and of the poor response they make. That lends credence to the suggestion that there is no labour shortage. Recently, in the Manawatu district, three dozen circulars were sent out and the distributing agenNk reported that only three were returned . Two of those three farmerswanted men but only one of the two promised permanent cmpl'oymeiit. . So'''what have you? • 9 • • At Friday's meeting of the Primary Production Council the Placement Officer in Whakatane said that when single men went to his office inquiring for work and he proposed farm positions, he never saw them' again. He presumed that they obtained work on their own account. "It was hard to get men to go on to farms, '* lie said and someone added: "And a lot harder to keep them." Which may be true. •» • . But there are two sides to every question and there appears to be about we seriously consider farm labour. The farmers have a legitimate complaint and a- complaint that ought to be sustained. But what of the prospective and experienced farm-hands? Is it not possible -that they also, have reasonable groundsf for refusal of the country work offered to them? They may not have at the present time, when it would be considered a national service, but in peace conditions the balance might well be tilted their way. at * » Disregarding the very important fact that shorter hours and higher rates of pay in and about the towns draw when .others are enjoying those j>rivileges, the ' paramount problem that has to be faced is what could be termed 'incompatability of temperament' between farmers and' their 'men'. The. term is cited in stime countries as a reason for divorce and in New Zealand it is largely the reason ior the farm labour wrangle. That, of course, applies to normal times arid perhaps that subject, which could be enlarged, would be better left until those times return. But. it that there is a large section of farmers not fit to employ labour and a large section of labour not fit to be employed. What is to-be done-about it? Described as an 'ever-gpeen' qups- , tioh, it may yet get bl'&cttfer.j tlie out-look for a - satisfactory ' being far from bright.