FARM LABOUR PROBLEM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 77, 23 December 1937, Page 4

FARM LABOUR PROBLEM

% sis n Men To Be Released From P.W.D. Jobs seasonal work plan ; To help farmers to procure men for seasonal work during harvesting, shearing and flush-milking periods, the Government has made arrangements for the Public Works to release men temporarily from Public Works jobs to allow them to take on farm work. It has also been decided that, in the North Island, sustenanee paymeHts will not be continued to single men who, though physically fit, reject farm employment, stated the Hon. W. E. Barnard, M.P., when qnestioned abont the' farm labour position this -morning., Mr Barnard said that late last month he had been asked to convey to the Government the" views of the directors of the Waiohiki Co-operative Dairy Company on the procuring of seasonal farm labour, which they had stated, was beeoming an increasingly difficult problem in this district. He conveyed the company's representations to the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Leo Martin, who referred the matter to the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, Minister of Labour. In a letter dated December 2, Mr Armstrong informed Mr Barnard that every effort was being made to supply farmers with the necessary labourers. "So that the situation may be handled to the best advantage," the letter stated, "it is suggested that farmers who require labour for harvesting or shearing should notify their requirements in advarice to employment beaureaux. This will enable the demand to be gauged and steps can be taken accordingly. In regard to the company's suggestion that Public Works be suspended, I may say that arrangements have already been made for the Public Works Department to release men temporarily so that they may take up seasonal occupations." The company had also suggested that no single men should be paid sustenanee, as a means to drawing them to the farms for seasonal work. In answer to this proposal, the Minister's letter says, "As you yourself are probably aware, the steps suggested have already been taken, in the North Island at any rate. Sustenanee payments are not now being continued in the case of single men who, though physically capable refuse without adequate reason to accept .farm emplcyment when it ie offering."