FARM LABOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1942, Page 4

FARM LABOUR

SHORTAGE UN DOMINION MEN TO BE LEFT IN OCCUPATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR FRASER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An announcement that all men at pi esent engaged in farming would be left in their occupations lor the time being till the whole situation was adequately met by the othel steps contemplated was made by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in a statement last night in which he referred to the serious shortage of farm labour. He added that the Army authorities were notifying all members of the armed forces who had been drawn from the primary occupations, and who had substantial grounds for desiring to return, that they may make application to, resume their previous employment. Mr Fraser said that pending a complete examination of the position, immediate steps were being taken by the Ministers concerned in the War Administration to ensure that essential primary production would be maintained and that an adequate supply ot laboui would be available for such .farming operations. In addition the primary production Councils were being asked to make a speedy survey of the position in their respective districts and to advise the manpower committees of any cases in which they thought men should be returned to the farms. The Maori tribal committees which would be set up under the reorganisation plan of Maori war effort were being invited to cooperate with the primary production councils in carrying a similar policy into effect in regard to Native production. As soon as time permitted all cases would be reviewed by the manpower committees, having regard to the necessity for primary production and when all other relevant circumstances could be taken into consideration.