FARM LABOURERS NEEDED

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10711, 3 September 1912, Page 7

FARM LABOURERS NEEDED

COST 01' IMPOIITATfO:

Afc the meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the Farmers' Union, on Wednesday last, Mr B. S. Smith wrote enclosing a copy of a letter which lie had received* from the secretary of the- Koyal Colonial Institute stating that the representations of tihe Union regarding the emigration movement would be brought before the Emigration Committee, and it was hoped that it would bo ablo to assist the Union. The secretary suggested that ic would bo well to bring the matter forward in England, in the hope that the New Zealand Government would offer liberal terms for the emigration of farm hands and domestic servants. Provided the means were forthcoming to transfer a, certain number of such workers from England to New Zealand, lie felt sure that there would bo no difficulty in obtaining any number required. The cost of the voyage was mainly responsible, for preventing many from trying their fortunes in New Zealand.

Mr J. C. N. Crigg said that the fares from England to New Zealand were very low, being about £l2 or £l3, of which sum the Government paid half. Tlie nomination system with cheap fares would meet the difficulty.

Mr W. T. Lill said that the present rates applied only to the months from September to January. If Australia could bring men out at a cost of £2 10s each, New Zealand could do the same. At present domestic servants could come out for £2 IBs. Mr Grigg said that £6 10s was cheap enough for anyone.

Mr S. Wells said that the matter was of such urgency- that the men should be brought out- free.

'Mv G. 'Shoat said that the country required picked men, not an indiscriminate mixture.

,Mr W. T. Lill said that . a man who knows Lincolnshire and Yorkshire -had -assured him tbat be could have got•'hundreds of young men. to come out if it had not been for the cost of the voyage. These men were getting from £l6 to £lB a year. Mr Grigg: Absolutely incorrect, I out into the wages afc Home, and

tp.pt. are getting from lis to 38s a w-' ; ?\\-:. The fanners could not harvest the crops if it were not for the gangs . of Irish men who came over, and they get 7;« an acre for tying and stooking.

Mr F. 6. Hoffell said that the passage money was not the (stumblingbloek, but the £lO that the immigrant had to have on landing. Mr J. It. Cullen said that if the New Zealand conditions were posted up at Homo the immigrants would not come out at all. Many of the English farm labourers were no use at all, for they lacked experience and efficiencv.

The matter was held over pending Mr SoHi Smith's return.