IMMIGRATION AND LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1920, Page 2

IMMIGRATION AND LABOR.

VIEWS OF TARANAKI FARMERS. At the recent meeting of the Taranaki Executive of the Farmers' Union, a letter was read from the Dominion secretary stating that he had been aptoached by the Labor Department in regard to the shortage of labor on farms. The Department's reports indicated that the supply of labor was sufficient for the demand. These reports, if borne out, must have a strong effect in limiting immigration to this country. It was obvious, however, that there must be many opportunities for labor on the farms if production was to increase, As far as he could judge, the position from the Labor Department's point of view was that the reports of its officers were based to a large' extent on the applications made to them for labor, and the difficulty tltey had in finding employment for those who applied for work. Answers from private labor bureaux. l were very similar, so the only conclusion the Department could come to was that the supply of labor was adequate. They had, however, requested him to get in touch with branches of the Farmers' Union to have this conclusion either verified or falsified! Immigrants were coming in by every ship, and it was very necessary that rural districts should absorb the greater number. It would be readily understood that the Government would not feel justified in encouraging immigration if work could not readily be found for immigrants arriving. ' The president considered that the work of putting immigrants in positions could best be attended to at the ports. Mr. Mills advocated an organisation: right through the country, so that men could come to Taranaki or any other part of the country. v Mr. Maxwell was satisfied that the country was starving for want of labor. On 99 farms out of 100 more labor was needed. If all allowances were made for labor and other charges on the farm, the people would be paying 8s or 9s per lb for their butter instead of 2s. He considered a royal commission should be set up to investigate the facts and deal with this matter of labor on farms. Now that they had the chance they should let the Government know the position. It was impossible to stump and fence with labor at the present price, and it was also impossible to keep the weeds down at the present cost of labor.