MEN & MACHINERY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 November 1939, Page 4

MEN & MACHINERY

FARM DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES TRANSFERS ALREADY MADE FROM PUBLIC WORKS. MR WEBB REVIEWS LABOUR POSITION. (By Telegraph—Frews Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 8. New Zealand has already made important steps in the transfer of men and machinery from Public Works to farm developmental schemes with a view to increased primary production, and the policy, to which reference has been made in London by the Hon P. Fraser, is already being vigorously pursued. Commenting today on Mr Fraser's statement, the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, said that at the moment some 3800 men previously employed on Scheme 13 and Public Works schemes were engaged in cleaning up private farm lands throughout New Zealand. More than 1000 additional men were at present being transferred, and it was expected that in the near future more than 5000 men would have been taken off Public Works and put on to clearing of farm lands. “Men so employed are working under contract conditions, and the employment division of the Labour Department is subsidising their wages to the extent of 75 per cent,” Mr Webb continued. “To enable less fortunate farmers to avail themselves of this offer, the State Advances Department and many mercantile firms and banks are giving farmers financial accommodation.”

The latest figures relating to the farm labour question in New Zealand were reviewed by the Minister, who said that while there was a shortage of experienced workers in the North Island, ■ there was an excess in the South Island, and all could not be placed in positions. On these figures, compiled by the employment division of the Labour Department, there were 318 vacancies for farm workers throughout the Dominion. Of these, 248 were for experienced workers and only 70 for inexperienced men. Most jobs offering were for men under 20 years of age. Of the 318 vacancies remaining unfilled, 254 were from the North Island. The number of workers available was 830, but of this number only 127 were experienced, and most of these were over 20 years of age.