WORK ON FARMS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 192, 10 May 1940, Page 11

WORK ON FARMS

Complaints About Labour Shortage REFERENCE BY MINISTER Complaints about a shortage of farm labour which were made at a meeting of the Otago provincial council of the Farmers’ Union were referred to yesterday by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb. He said that was the first intimation he had had from the south about difficulty in obtaining farm labour. [The meeting at which the discussion took place was reported in Wednesday’s “Dominion.”] Mr. Webb said the department’s books at present showed 107 vacancies, 95 for experienced men and 12 for inexperienced. The department had 17 experienced men and 218 inexperienced awaiting farm work. The vacancies for inexperienced men would Ire filled immediately, and the 17 experienced men would be placed. “I have just made a tour of Southland and Otago,” said Mr. Webb, “and some farmers pointed out to me the difficulty of obtaining experienced farm labour. In most cases this labour was of a seasonal nature, musterers being very difficult to replace. The Manpower Committee has, in every case where the matter was brought under its notice, advised these men to continue in their employment till the other men could be trained . to take their places. So far as the inexperienced men are concerned, I told the ■farmers that the Government is willing to contribute £1 a week for a period of six months for the purpose of training the men. On the other hand, several hundred men have (been sent out to clear and drain farms under the 4b scheme, which is helping very greatly to increase farm production. _ “The Farmers' Union, which has taken a keen interest in all questions relating to farm labour, has not approached me on this matter, and I am amazed at the sweeping statements that have been made by Mr. S. Sim. I have telegraphed him to And out where this great shortage is and what labour he and his farming friends require. If experienced men cannot be made available we will do our best to supply subsidized inexperienced men of a good type.” Referring to a statement made by Mr. W. Warren that 80 per cent, of the enlistments had been made from the country, the Minister said he had referred that matter to the Man-power Committee and the defence authorities for a report. He added that his department would appreciate the closest co-operation with the farmers and all employing authorities to put in hand whatever work of a productive nature was needed. “We are doing our best to meet them both with the subsidy and with labour,” said Mr. Webb.