THE WANT OF LABOR IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT.

Evening Star, Issue 3401, 15 January 1874, Page 3

THE WANT OF LABOR IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT.

There was a discussion at the Western Farmers* Club meeting on the 2nd insb., on the scarcity of labor in the district. We make the following extracts from the ‘ Star’s’ report ; Mr Gumming, M.P.C., said that the Canterbury farmers had asked the Provincial and General Governments to stop public works for a time, in order to allow them to obtain men to reap the harvest. He believed that both applications were successful. In the Western district there were not near enough men to harvest anything like half the crops. They could scarcely ask the Government to stop public worn s, but thought the matter might be put in such a way as to obtain for the contractors extension of time, so that the men might bp at liberty to harvest. Such an extension of limo would be of great benefit tp, the contractors. The farmers wpre bound ijo obtain men, as if they did no.t them whole year’s labor would be lost. They would, therefore, offer higher terms than the contractors. Mr Hamilton occurred in Mr Cumming’s remarks The Government, he thought, by giving the proposed extension of time, would get their work done cheaper, as the contractors could obtain labor cheaper than they otherwise would. Mr Daniel, M.P.C. said that most of the contracts were nearly completed, and the whole of them would scarcely employ as many men as one of the large farmers. He scarcely thought it was necessary for contractors to have an extension of time, as labor would be had somewhere. Mr Gumming, M. P.C., was of opinion that the farmers of the Western District should take a broad view of the matter, and not selfishly confine their endeavors to benefit only west of the New River. The President said Mr Allan’s ideas of the labor requirements of the Western District were absurd. Instead of 26 or SO men, the district would quickly absorb from 3(JO to 400. Labor was more urgently required here, he believed, than in any other part of the Colony, fn consequence of the large quantity of land, purchased within the last two years, the amount of work required to be dune, irrespective altogether of public works was unprecedented. The contracts in the . Western District were, it was true, not very extensive ; but they must look to the whole Province and Colony. If an extension of time, say of one month, were given, a great boon would be conferred. Some works, of course, could not be stopped j but the country would not be injured by others being delayed a month. He believed that if the extension sought for were obtained, a benefit would be qonferred on contractors, farmers, and workmen. It would operate as a kind of safety valve. When labor rosee too high there was a tendency to introduce too much labor, and therefore, he would like more for the workmen s sake alone that the Government would concede the month’s extension. Mr Hamilton stated that it was within his knowledge that theie was an immense amount of work required to be done in the Western District. Mr Gumming, M.P.C,, pointed out that allowing the farmers to obtain labor would bq a general benefit to the community, and

It was very certain that if the farmers coaid nob-get in their crops this year they- would not put in another, but would lay down their land in grass. He moved “That it is the opinion of this meeting that contractors should be al owed an extension of time to the extent of one month, in order to liberate labor to gather in the harvest.” Carried.