FARM LABOUR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 26, 23 October 1937, Page 3

FARM LABOUR

-Press Association.)

Shortage of Domestic Servants

(By Telegraph-

J" INVERCARGILL'," Last . Ni^ht. ' The difficulty of securing competent labour for farms was again discussed fby the Southland provincial exeeutive 'of the Farmers' Union to-day. It was Btated that it was quite impossible to secure suitable men through the placement offices in Invercargill and Gore at Ihe present time. Another aspect stressed by one member was that the shortago of domestio labour made it diffieult to provide th& conditions now required for farra. labour. Mr. G. A. Hamilton said that the shortage of farm labour was not the only aspect which merited considernfion. There was also a shortage of tho means of catering for farm labour. In most cases farmers provided meals for their men but if they could not get domestic help, they would soon be uuable to employ labour at all without limposing too heavy a. burden on their wives aud families. Ho would like to know why the piacement office would. not attempt to supply domestic help. Mr. A. H. McLean: There is none to be had. Mf. R. Sim: Are we not drifting -into: a position that farm work is no longer a congenial cccupationT It was decided to obtain particulars of the number of applicatious for farm labour at Invercargill and Gore piacement offices, together with the number of' experienced men available. The information is to be supplied tp the: Government. . >