FARM WORKERS.

Wairarapa Age, 8 February 1927, Page 2

FARM WORKERS.

PROPOSAL TO CURTAIL IMMIGEA TION.

PALMERSTON N., February 7.

A brief discussion was held at the monthly meeting of the Farmers’ Union executive on Saturday, on the question of farm immigrants. The Department of Immigration wrote that a number of experienced farm, hands would be arriving by vessels due in New Zealand shortly; included among the farm labourers were several married couples. The Department asked that applications for labour should be forwarded to the Department, the ciass of labour required and wages' offered to be stated. Mr. F. Maul said he considered that it was time the Government put a stop to assisted immigration, as there were enough of them already in the country.

Mr. J. Gloyn: “The trouble arises cut of the fact that farm work in this country is entirely different. You may as well take men from the New Zealand cities as bring farm labourers from overseas.”

Mr. A. G. Dear mentioned that the few men he had had from England had turned out excellently. Mr. H. McLeavey: “The Immigration Department always places the cart before the horse. Surely it should consult the farmers, and find out how many men are wanted before the immigrants are brought out to New Zealand.

Mr. Budden (secretary) pointed out that the executive had already passed a i esolution that the Government should be asked to curtail* its. immigration scheme.—(P.A.).