FARM LABOUR.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19897, 28 May 1936, Page 7

FARM LABOUR.

DISCUSSED AT OONFIHENGE.

‘ IMMIGRATION FAVOL‘RED. Diversity of opinion was expresaed when remits urging immigration. to overcome the existing shortage oi" farm labour, were considered at the Auck—land provincial conference of the New Zealand l‘armers‘ Union on Tuesday evening. In moving a remit that the Government should assist by \\‘uy of reduced passages the imm'gmt'on oi“ nominated skilled farm \\orkers. .\lr it. A. S. Brown said there was a definite short—age of farm bands in [he ijv'mi‘mion and the inimigrdtion p.’ skiiltti men would overcame tzie diliicuitv It was difficult iv secure smiahle labour for the milking she-is. There was any amount at labour offering fo-r general farm work. "There can be no objection to immigration. for Ne-v Zennnt wants millions more people,“ said Mr A. )3. Robinson. “Men are leaving the farms in such great numbers that the; publication 0! statistics bearing this out has been dropped." Several speakers contended that there were plenty of ‘larm hands in the country, and the farmers who put‘ their men 011' over the winter months‘ were to blame for any acute shortage: of labour that came in the spring. 'l‘he‘l position would not be improved by im- ‘ migration if the same practice were; pursued. ‘ “The trouble is that the farml Labourer has no permanency of tenure; in the Dominion,“ said Mr H. .\l. Cook—son. “They do not 'know when they. will be put. out of Work." There was a number of young men‘ in the country who, if they could getl a fair remuneration. would prefer farm 1 life to any other, said Mr A. MeCon-i aughey. With good “ages, farming would become a popular occupation. ‘ The remit was carried. and a further resolution carried stated:—“ln view all the acute shortage of term labour we urge that a. meeting of representatives! of dairy companies and the Farmers': Union be convened to consider some; practical scheme, Government or pri—vate, for encouraging the immigration of men and youths suitable for farm; employment. or some alternative scheme for overcoming the farm short- I age.“ ;