SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1917, Page 3

SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOR.

•UTILISATION OF SCHOOL BOYS.

A combined meeting of country and town members ot the Klliciency Trustees was held yesterday, there being present: Messrs T. Furlong, jr. (chairman), \i. Whittle, ]>'. J. Hill, J. y. Connett (chairman of the county trustees), and C. Andrews (Okato).

The meeting discussed the question of utilising the school labor that had been offered during the coming harvesting season, the local trustees having taken the initiative in this direction, on the suggestion of the Efficiency Board in \Xe\lngton, by approaching the masters of the secondary and primary schools, from whom they had received a cordial response. It was stated that 150 boys had been enrolled locally and would be'available. The board liad not yet received any definite information as to the labor that would be required, and the chairman considered that this should first be ascertained, after which the question of organisation, 'accommodation, and payment of boys for the labor should receive consideration.

Mr. Connett stated that he would he very pleased to assist the local committee in utilising the available labor. He had no definita scheme to lay before them at the present moment," but he thought that a good deal of work could be found in the shearing sheds and generally on the farms in hay-making, etc. He nonsidered that tl>? assistance of Mr. Barry, of the Agricultural Department's local stall', might be requisitioned to direct the lads. There was a shortage of labor in public bodies, and possibly boys might be Utilised there if capable and desirous of doing the work. He thought farmers should be invited to send in applications for labor, and the agricultural office could be utilised for the purpose. Other matters of detail could be settled late?.

Mr. E. Whittle favored the establishment of a bureau for the purpose of obtaining information and later allocating the lads to suitable work. ' Messrs C. Andrews and Hill considered this would be the best course, and that a further meeting could be held to discuss this and other matters. This course wa s agreed to. Messrs J. S. Connett and F. J. Hill were appointed a committee to make preliminary arrangements.