GIRL LABOUR?

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2684, 2 February 1916, Page 6

GIRL LABOUR?

IN THE HARVEST FIELD

DEPARTMENTAL DENIAL

It was stated in a Wellington'newspaper recently that "the -shortage of farm labour has become almost an embarrassment" (in the Hawke's Bay districts) "owing to the war:" Other statements mado in the same article were:—"ln tho Waipukiirau and .Onga districts alone over 300 young men had left for camp in the past.few mouths',-and in'some'cases the grain had- been lying in stook for wetAs owing to the scarcity of labour. The labour difficulty, however, lias• been considerably minimised by -the employment of girls. Tho girls are paid at the rate of Is. Gd. an hour, and usually work in four-hour shifts. Some of them make excellent cheques, aud thoroughly enjoy the unusual work. They are employed principally in stooking, stacking, and haymaking."

Tho article was brought under the notice of the Department of Labour, who instituted an inquiry into the statements as they were at a loss to know how. there could be such a shortage of labour when the Department had made preparation against such a contingency. The agents in the districts concerned were, ■ therefore, to report on the subject, and the result of the. investigation was communicated to a Dominion representative yesterday. The Department- stated that a special visit made to the Onga district showed that there was no evidence at all of the general employment of girls in the district, and only one case could be definitely traced in which a young woman had helped in any harvest field in tlie district.

A prominent farmer is reported by the Department to have stated that there was no scarcity of men, and that very often he had turned men away, as he had nothing for them to do. 11l no part of the district, he said, had grain remained in stook for more than one week.

An hotelkeeper,in the district is reported by the Department as supporting the statements of the farmer. He says that in many instances men stayed at his hotel, and while there telephoned farmers, asking for work. In most cases the reply was that the farmers were full-handed. The hotelkeeper knew that it was incorrect to say that girls .worked in the harvest fields.. lhe Napier agent of the Department states that during the harvest period ho did liot have one application for employment at. harvesting, and ■ that neither_ did tlio private registry offices in Napier. The Dannevirke agent reports no application, and tho Waipukurau agent one.

It is understood that the one girl who did some harvesting was a Whangarei girl on holiday, who considered the experience rather novel, and who received no payment.