FARM LABOUR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 17, 18 January 1913, Page 7

FARM LABOUR.

GOVERNMENT ASKED TO IMPORT

Invercargill, January 14

At a meeting of the executive rf the New Zealand Farmers’ Union for the provincial district of Southland, the following letter from the Dominion Secretary was read;—“The New Zealand Government has at present under consideration the question of immigration in regard to farm labourers and domestics, and the Minister (the Hen. F. FI. D. Bell) has asked to be supplied with some definite particulars of the requirements of the Dominion both in respect to the class of labour and numbers, and I have been instructed by the Dominion President (Mr. .1. G. Wilson) to take early steps to draw up a list of the farmers in your locality who require labour now or within the course of the next two or three months. You might consult with your chairman as to the best and quickest way of getting’This information, so

that you may be able to advise me by the 20th inst., or as soon after as possible. We have pointed <-ut to t'-o Minister the difficulty of collecting this information hurriedly, but we are a i-

xious to impress upon Ibe Government the need for a systematic poVy, and wo are dependent upon Li e bin: ci;os for the necessary proof rf the great demand for labour that we IHievo to exist all over the Dominion. Will yru, therefore, kindly furnish me with the

list required, and v. hen sending it on 1 would be glad if you will state what you believe to be a fair estimate, cf the requirements of your locality.

Trusting to have your prompt attention to this matter, and awaiting your

reply.”

After considerable discussion the following motion was carried;—“That the attention of the Hon. the Prime Minister he directed to the present lack of labour in the country districts, which tends to prevent farmers from having their actual necessary work carried out, and also proper cultivation of the land, which causes conse-

quent loss in production, and, therefore, severe loss to the Dominion. That the Government he requested to relieve the present unsatisfactory position by giving encouragement to the best class of farm labourers in the Old Country to emigrate. That, in the opinion of this executive, there are openings in Southland alone for from 500 to 1000 men of the proper class.”

The introduction of immigrants through the Central Unemployed Body of London was also discussed, and the secretary, (Air. J. T. Pram) was instructed to adviso the branches that he was prepared to receive applications from farmers, and that the list supplied by the London Body could he inspected at any, time and selections made therefrom.