H.—198

REPLACEMENT OF MEN WITHDRAWN FROM THE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES. One of the problems the Central Advisory Labour Council was called upon to consider was the maintenance of primary production, as this constituted an essential part of the Dominion's war effort. After a very careful study of the position the Government decided to proceed as follows : —• (1) An immediate survey to be made of all public works, forestry, and other governmental works to ascertain the number of experienced farm workers thereon, and the number willing to accept farm work ; also the number of men who have had no experience on farms but who are prepared to take up such employment if suitable vacancies are available. (2) The increasing of the subsidy paid to farmers under the Labour Department's Scheme No. 4f on the wages of untrained workers. The existing scheme has been extended to all men twenty years of age or over, whether registered as unemployed or not, and the rate of subsidy increased from 20s. per week for the first six months only, to 30s. per week for the first six months and 15s. per week for the second six months. (3) To meet cases where the employment of a married farm worker is necessary under war conditions but where the farm does not justify, on economic grounds, the expenditure necessary for the erection of permanent married accommodation, temporary married accommodation will be provided. Arrangements have also been made to pay a house allowance at the rate of 12s. 6d. a week to married farm workers for whose families accommodation cannot be provided on the farms, and, in addition, temporary accommodation at a low rental for both married and single farm workers. (4) The utilization of the facilities at Massey College, Ruakura State Farm, and other selected institutions wherever possible for the purpose of training men in the rudiments of farm work. This training will be entirely free, and the house allowance of 12s. 6d. per week will be paid in addition to the ruling rate of pay. (5) The popularizing of the facilities of the Rural Housing Act under which loans are available to farmers through the local bodies at the rate of 3J per cent, for the building of small but suitable houses for married men and their families. These loans are repayable on table mortgages of twenty-five years maximum tenure. As yet there is no pronounced shortage of building materials or labour, and opposition by mortgagees is not expected. Consequently there appears to be no reason why farmers who are hampered in the employment of labour by lack of married men's accommodation should not take advantage of the scheme. A pamphlet setting out the advantages of the Act will be forwarded to all farmers at an early date. The problems connected with the proper utilization of New Zealand's man-power resources so as to maintain and increase production, and to provide adequately for defence in the Dominion and overseas, will become increasingly important and urgent as time goes on. It is believed that the decisions already arrived at, and the deliberations of the Man-power Council, together with the active co-operation of both farmers and workers, will meet any eventualities that may arise.

Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer. Wellington.—l94o.

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