SHEARERS NEEDED

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 240, 12 October 1942, Page 3

SHEARERS NEEDED

SHORTAGE IN OTAGO. "SITUATION UNDOUBTEDLY SERIOUS." When a Press Association message from Auckland about the shortage of shearers in the Auckland Province was referred to the chairman (Mr A. C. Leary) and the deputy-chairman (Mr A. C. Cameron), of the Otago Primary Production Council, they said the position in Otago also was undoubtedly serious. Shearing in the province did not commence generally until November, but runholders were already concerned about the prospects of obtaining the services of men. When the forrner Minister of I Primary Production for War PurI poses (Mr W. J. Polson) met representatives of various production I councils in Dunedin recently, he said that the War Cabinet had agreed to release all shearers and musterers, irrespective of medical gradings, provided they were not aetually waiting to go overseas. It remains to be seen how this decision will be interpreted by the Army. Even if all available shearers are released, there will still be a shortage, and Mr Leary and Mr Cameron said that for this reason the Otago Production Council is anxious to conduct again the training class at Roxburgh. The council has communicated with the Government in an endeavour to secure the release from camp of young farmers ranging in age from 18. to 20 years, who would be suitabie for training as shearers, but so far no reply has been received. In spite of the weather risk, a number of farmers have begun shearing operations earlier than usual, so that they will be assured of the services of the few skilled men available.