LABOUR-SAVING MACHINERY 89 



(5) The saving likely to be effected by the extended 

 use of labour-saving machinery we regard 

 with the Majority as a comparatively in- 

 significant factor in our inquiry (para. 144). 

 We do not think it will fill the place of the 

 men to an appreciable extent. 



Paragraph 144 of the Majority Report is as follows : 

 "144. As regards labour-saving machiaery, it is generally 

 agreed that scarcity of labour during the war has greatly 

 stimulated the interest of farmers in machinery, and we 

 expect that, as soon as the agricultural engineering firms 

 resume production, there will be a large demand for all types 

 of machines, especially motor tractors and motor ploughs. 

 It is very questionable, however, whether such machinery 

 saves man labour to as great an extent as is often suggested. 

 The evidence which we have received from users of motor 

 ploughs and tractors suggests that the chief advantage of 

 these machines is that they enable the farmer to get work 

 done at the right time, but that the saving effected is in 

 horse labour rather than in manual labour. In any case 

 small farmers are not likely to make much use of motor 

 machinery for some time, and on all farms there are some 

 classes of labour, e.g. shepherds, stockmen, etc., which 

 cannot be replaced by machinery. For these reasons it 

 appears certain that the reduction which the increased use 

 of machinery is likely to cause in the labour required on the 

 farms of England and Wales cannot be more than a small 

 proportion of the total shortage." 



C. — The Size of the Problem — How many Men 

 will be available for employment on the 

 Land 



24. Though it is impossible to foretell within narrow 

 limits of accuracy what number of men will when 

 peace comes desire employment on the land, if such 

 employment is available, it is nevertheless essential 

 to form the best estimate we can. 

 7* 



