JEWISH REFUGEES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1940, Page 4

JEWISH REFUGEES

EMPLOYMENT ON FARMS. WAIRARAPA FARMERS SYMPATHETIC. A sympathetic attitude to the employment of foreign refugees on farms, owing to the acute shortage of farm labour, was taken by the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at. its meeting in Masterion this morning. In a letter to Mr Hugh Morrison (president), the secretary of the New Zealand Jewish Welfare Society said he understood that Mr Morrison had expressed his willingness to assist Jewish refugees who might desire to take up farming, by way of advice or supervision. At present there was a tendency on the part of some of . the refugees to go in for farming, but the drawback was lack of experience. The secretary asked what were the prospects in the district for placing single men or married couples on farms. The president stated that he had hoard of refugees in general as being keen and efficient workers, and he considered the matter should be left to the individual farmer.

The general opinion of the meeting was that, in view of the acute shortage of farm labour being experienced, and which would be increased as men left the farms on active service in the military forces, refugees (German. Russian and Polish Jews) should fill vacant positions on farms, fl was pointed out that the work on farms., especially in view of (he need of increased production for the Imperial Government, had Io bo carried out by someone.

After discussion it was decided to write to the secretary of the New Zealand Jewish Welfare Society and offer any assistance possible.