Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1943. LABOUR ON THE LAND.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1943, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1943. LABOUR ON THE LAND.

MANY complaints are being made regarding a shortage of labour in land industry and there are some allegations also of unfair discrimination in the allocation of what workeis aie available. We have had to refuse publication to some letters on this subiect on account of their making charges which should be placed before a court or tribunal, or otherwise subjected to impartial scrutiny, rather than ventilated in ex parte and untested statements.

On the facts in sight, however, there does not seem to be any doubt that a great proportion of the farmers in this district are being handicapped heavily, by a shortage or dearth of labour, in their efforts to maintain production, apart from any question of increasing it, as they, are being urged to do. It is recognised that serious difficulties of labour shortage are inevitable in farming industry, as in most other branches of industry in time of war, but the question is being asked, and asked insistently, whether, in view of the admitted importance ol raisin" primary production to the highest possible level, .farming is getting fair'relative consideration where the alloeat,on ol available manpower is concerned.

It is contended by not a .few of those engaged in land industry that farming is not getting equitable consideration ni comparison with town businesses, some of them of a less essential character, which are left with sufficient staffs to enable them to carry on more or less normally. It is known that many farmers, and in some instances their wives, are working very long houis, with little if any assistance, and even so are compelled to leave untouched a great deal of work that ordinarily would be icgarded as essential.

- There are complaints also, as has been stated, that available labour is not in all cases being placed where it is most needed and would best serve to maintain or increase production. Enough is being said on this and other aspects of the position at least to emphasise the desirability of. having the facts clearly determined and established.

While the Government, and its subordinate agencies are making some efforts to provide relief, by an increased recruitment of land girls and in other ways, there is a good deal to suggest that bolder and more vigorous action is necessary. Individual farmers, particularly those who are most heavily burdened and at a disadvantage on account of labour shortage, can do little on their own behalf. It should be entirely open, however, to the Farmers’ Union, and other bodies in a position to speak and act for the primary producers, to bring out the realities of the situation in accurate detail and definition and so to impart maximum weight to the for remedial and helpful action in the extent to which that 'is possible.