UNDUE HARDSHIP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 260, 20 January 1941, Page 5

UNDUE HARDSHIP

FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE

. POSITION GETTING SERIOUS

Strong feeling concerning what was termed "an acute shortage of labour for farms, necessitating undue hardship being imposed on women and children,' 1 ' has been expressed by farmers of the district recently. "At present," said one fanner, "it is definitely not uncommon to see women and children working hard in the sheds. It just stands to reason that they cannot stand it and a breakdown in health must inevitably result. Yet while this is going on, a groat part of our available manpower is walking round the streets. "I am very much concerned about the whole position," said another farmer, "particularly with the next season so far as primary production is concerned. Unless some far-reach-ing planning to alleviate the shortage is done very soon, this district will not be able to hold the same level of production which is at present urgently needed. At the present rate of expansion there will be so many cows in the country we won't have the grass to feed them." Herd Reduction. A third farmer: "There is no doubt about it, by far. the farmer's greatest difficulty is the labour question. This, combined with what might develop into a shortage of manures, etc., makes the position gerious, "I am very much afraid that our herds will have to be reduced," he concluded, "If a man is told to do something in the Army," said a fourth farmer, "and does not do so he is naturally penalised. The same stand should be adapted here. There are lots of men working "short hours and not doing all they could to assist, while there are others working solidly on farms for as long as 16 hours a day"

Conscription of men for farm work as for the Army would solve the problem, stated one man. Advertising Analysis. A review of the position as far as advertising in the BEACON for farm hands is concerned, shows that over the past three months, there have been no less than 79 advertisements inserted. In response to this there have been 87 enquiries and as far as can be ascertained 57 actual engagements,. There are of course those persons who when advertising stipulate that application be made to them direct. It is therefore impossible to discover just how they have fared. Another interesting point is that advertisements for farm hands have been inserted in this paper from Opotiki, Tauranga, Matartiata and Katikati. The response latterly has been jDractically nil owing to the number of eligible young men in military training camps or"awaiting their turn. However as-pointed out by the Manpower Committee the workers who will be released since the first Territorial camp broke up should assist the position.

FINDING FARM LABOUR POSSIBILITY OF EMPLOYING GIRL WORKERS *,When Ave employ a boy of 16 years or over, and pay him £1 n week, AA'e have to deduct 4s for Social Security," said a member at a meeting of the Wairarapa executive of the Farmers' Union. "We have to deduct the additional 2s because of the board allowance of £1, and it is A 7 ery difficult to get boys to work for that." ''The Government Avill simply tell you to pay them more," said Mr R. Kebbell. "I belie\'e there is a large untapped reservoir of labour still available in the girls of the community. Many girls would come out to the sheds and work during shearing. Shed hands are a real difficulty noAv and what men Ave have got are up at daylight mustering. Then they are Avorking till 10 or 11 at nig-ht pressing avool, and have to start at daylight again next morning. Many girls would do it if Ave knew the channels by which we cowld get' in touch with Mr G. G. Jackson: Why not enlist ■he a'd of Hvj Women's Division? . fti" discussion it Avas 'ecir'ed be taken to asi, vv'-a* nssistance might be I <■* ' workers at shear busy seasons. # i