STILL SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 333, 14 January 1937, Page 5

STILL SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR.

CANTERBURY COMPLAINT Farmers’ Union Blame Minister of Public Works. Press Association—Copyright. Christchurch, Last Night. Allegations that the wages paid on Public Works are attracting labour from farms and that the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, had created the position were made to-day when the North Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was considering a letter from the Dominion secretary asking for a survey of the farm labour position in the district. “There is a definite shortage of single ploughmen and single dairy farm workers,’* said the chairman, Mr. G. C. Warren. "There is an unlimited supply of harvesters but men for permanent positions are missing. I do not know whether we should reply to Mr. Semple or not. He has many qualities that I admire and some that I do not. The position has been created by Mr. Semple wishing to make out what a good man he has been to the unemployed and men. on Public Works. He has told us from time to time of the wages they have been getting. It would be better if for a change he gave the average or lowest wages. The men on Public Works do not work on wel days and they have other expenses. The wages he has been talking about have undoubtedly upset the farm worker. It is not due to the old Government. It is due to the present Government’s attitude to Public Works. It is only a matter of time whether we get any farm labour at all. Even the sons of farmers are going on Public Works contracts and making up to £6 a week.