FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 137, 10 May 1940, Page 8

FARM LABOUR SHORTAGE.

REPLY BY MINISTER. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 9. The remarks made in Dunedin about the shortage of farm labour were commented on to-day by the Minister of Labour (Hon. P. C. Webb) who said this was the first intimation he had had from the south about the difficulty of obtaining labour. On the Labour Department’s books at present there were 107 vacancies, 95 tor experienced men and ]2 for inexperienced. The department had 17 exoerienced and 218 inexperienced; men awaiting farm work. The vacancies for inexperienced would bo filled immediately and the ]7 experienced would be placed. Mr Webb said he was amazed at the aweeuing statements made by. Mr Sim as the Partners’ Union bad not approached him oi! this matter. The Department was doing its best to meet | farmers both with subsidies and withj labour. ,

The sciions pliglii of fanning industries ill Olago us - the-- in Hit cl the enlistment of furmcis’ cons and lurm workers was emphasised .at a meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of .the Fanncm.’ Union by Mi- S. Sim. who said tlint all over the province Hide v.etc middie-agul and agoing n.-.-n, ■ any fii rhem so’d.cis- in die la-t v.ar, who con’d not carry on their farina mi?„.i-ni.. aid ail’d could at,! gel •'eoinpeient men. bvrio -'t’o n. ill. besl litrm iioik-ci-s -bad Kc.nc inin i-rmp.