83 



and machines as in the North, rather than a much greater demand upon 

 the physical efforts of the worker. 



A new standard of knowledge and craft skill will be eminently re- 

 quired if progress is to be made in agriculture, and in the development 

 of such a standard the interest of the nation is as great as that of the 

 farmer. Not only does the nation need more food, but it needs the 

 brighter, keener, rural population that must develop with higher 

 standards of work and better conditions of employment. 



There is much danger that it will be difficult to establish new standards 

 of work on farms of the prevailing size, and especially that the workers 

 will not be provided with the machinery and power necessary to 

 increase and improve production without calling for heavier physical 

 exertion. For this reason it is important that workers should consider 

 the advantages of the establishment of larger farms which is being 

 advocated. 



There is also some danger that the standard of work, together with 

 the general standard of living in rural districts, may be reduced by the 

 invasion of women's labour. For forty years or more the number of 

 women employed in agriculture has been diminishing, and in most 

 districts this has been regarded by the workers as a sign of social 

 advance. In general, women on farms have been casual workers, 

 and, as rates of wages have been low, the existence of the self-supporting 

 female worker has been a precarious one. The work allotted to them 

 has been of an unskilled and intermittent character, and under the 

 conditions now prevailing* there is a general tendency to give the 

 unskilled work to women. f This work in itself does not offer an 



* 19K). 



f WOMEN ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE, 1911. 



Farmers and Graziers 20,027 



Daughters and Relatives 56,856 



Bailiffs and Forewomen 25 



Shepherds 6 



In charge of cattle 4,934 



In charge of horses 



Ordinary Labourers 8,280 



Woodmen 2 



Nurserymen, Seedsmen, Florists 1,170 



Market Gardeners, including Employees 2,449 



Other Gardeners (not domestic) . . ." 583 



Agricultural Machine Proprietors and Attendants 60 



Others 330 



Total 94,722 



Of these, 70,000 are unmarried, 7,000 are married, and 17,000 are widows. It 

 is now estimated that there are 60,000 additional women employed on the land, 

 and as the ratio of ' ordinary labourers ' amongst women ordinarily employed in 

 agriculture is high it is not likely that new employees will be given positions 

 requiring skill or carrying responsibility. 



