FARM LABOUR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 22 January 1938, Page 11

FARM LABOUR

DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS.

TO SATISFY DEMAND. WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. Steps taken by the Labour Department to obtain labour for farmers during the busy season were reviewed by the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong), in a statement issued yesterday. He said that every effort had been made to find men for farm work, and that nearly fOOO men had been removed from relief since September. All of these had not gone to employment on farms, because where young men refused farm work without a valid excuse they were struck off the relief roll. Mr Armstrong said that even more could be done with greater co-opera-tion from the _ farming community, some farmers insisting on securing youths instead of taking the labour offering. In September last, his department had made special arrangements with a' view to being prepared for seasonal farm labour requirements. A special register was kept in all districts in the North Island of those in receipt. of unemployment relief who were listed as having had experience in farm work, and, in addition, all single men on sustenance, whether or not they had farm experience, were asked whether they were prepared to accept farm employment. A central register was then arranged of persons who were listed as available for and willing to accept farm work, and a complete system of co-ordination between placement offices and employment bureaux was organised whereby, farm labour requirements could be met with a minimum of delay. For instance, if a call was made in New Plymouth for 20 men, and insufficient labour was obtainable locally, then immediate arrangements could be made for the labour to be supplied from the nearest centre at which surplus labour was available.

in those casese where experienced men were not available, farmers were encouraged to take on inexperienced men, the Minister added, and in such cases the farmer was assisted by the payment of a subsidy on wages during the initial period of employment while

the men were being trained in their work.

Referring to single men who had refused to accept farm employment, the Minister said that a very firm stand had been taken in such eases, and if a good and sufficient reason for the refusal of the work was. not forthcoming, the men were denied further relief assistance while farm work was offering. As a result of the action taken by the department, nearly 1000 men had gone off relief in the North Island alone some 240 of these having been transferred to positions on farms, while approximately 700 had either been denied further relief lor refusal to accept farm work, or had voluntarily gone off relief after being offered farm employment. Although there were still a number of single men on sustenance, they consisted of those totally unsnited for farm work or those who could not be sent on to farms due to special reasons. The Minister stressed the fact tlint. despite certain criticism, the Government had taken, and was still taking, a firm stand in the matter, and was doing its best to fill the requirements of farmers. He felt, however, that if the farmers ■ would only co-operate with the Government to a greater extent by making their requirements known to the various placement offices and Government labour bureaux, thronghout the country as far as in advance as possible, or by displaying a willingness to accept the labour that was offering, instead of insisting on youth labour as many of them did, a great deal more would be accomplished.