FARM PRODUCTION

RELEASE OF MEN

HARVESTING WORK

"Our defence is our first consideration, but, particularly in view of our greater dependence now on our own resources, the Government is anxious that both harvesting and planting should be facilitated as much as the military situation will permit," said the Minister of National Service (Mr. Semple) last

night, when announcing a scheme

for the release of men on military .duties for harvesting operations. "Farmers with farm workers affected by recent mobilisations, who are urgently required for harvesting of essential crops and who are not replaceable by other labour, may apply at once to the local man-power committee for the temporary release ofs these men," Mr. Semple added. "In his application the farmer should state as nearly as possible the date and duration of release desired, the full name of the worker, his military rank, and the name of the unit to which he is attached.

"Provided that the application is supported, where necessary, by the local primary produqtion council, and that the State placement officer has no other labour available for the purpose, the man-power committee, if it deems his return essential, will secure temporary leave of absence from military duties without pay for the worker concerned. This leave of absence will be for the period necessary for harvesting. Farmers must, however, make -their applications without delay so that they may be considered by manpower committees and, if approved, tentative arrangemnts made with units for leave to be granted. The actual date from which leave is desired should later be notified to the secretary of the man-power committee." Referring to planting operations, the Minister said that recent developments in the Pacific made it more necessary than ever that an adequate acreage of all essential crops should be planted. Farmers should plan this well in advance. If necessary, and providing the military situation permitted of such action, the Government would give consideration to a similar release of men for planting purposes.