FARM LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1475, 25 June 1912, Page 10

FARM LABOUR.

SOLVING THE PROBLEM IN TOKONTO,

In common ivith New Zealand farmer's .in Toronto are experiencing difficulty in securing sufficient labour. One of the most urgent needs at present-, it is stated, is an adequate supply of labour for the farm. . Tho Colonisation Branoh has been endeavouring to meet that demand by bringing men from Great Britain and Ireland and placing, 'them with farmers. During the past few years several thousands have been brought out and placed in this way. Instead, however, of tiie demand lessening, it seems to be increasing. Our observation and experience convince us, says the director; of tllo Colonisation Branch, that while there may be many explanations of this regrettable fact, tho one outstanding reason is tiie practice of employing men for six or eight mouths of the year and then turning them out to find situations elsewhere for the balance of their time. This works out in such a way that the men who have been employed on the farms now seem to gravitate to towns and cities in tho winter months and remain there, with the result that the farmer is-compelled to start over again tho next spring in his efforts to secure help.

I would make the following suggestions, says the director, the adoption oi which Would go a long way towards relieving the stringency that exists at tho present time

(1) First and foremost, the one who arranges to employ a mail ljy the year, especially if able to supply a house and a piece of land, is the farmer who has tho least trouble over the lielp problem. It is the better way for the man as well as for the farmer. If you feel your work does not warrant tho employment of a man tho year round, you might be well advised to consider the question of taking up a few more branches of farm work ov handling additional live stock, and in this way you would more than make up the extra cost of tho help.

(2) Do not be too exacting aliaut getting an experienced man. Experienced farm labourers are rare at present, as there is a large demand for them in tine Olil Country as well. If you take an inexporienccd man, recognising that he is unfamiliar \vith the conditions and methods in the country, and devote a little attention to training 'him for a few months, you will find, in nine cases out of 10, that lie will prove very useful to you. Being reasonably generous in the matter of treatment and is essential if hired help is to bo retained.