MANPOWER ISSUE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 37, 23 November 1940, Page 3

MANPOWER ISSUE

FARM LABOURERS IN BALLOTS. PRIMARY PRODUCTION COUNCIL. “The whole trouble with this country is that it has not yet got a war mentality,” said Mr T. V. Wilkinson at a meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Primary Production CoLmcil last evening. He referred to a case where men had been in camp oil a racecourse, but had been forced to shift out because of a race meeting. Mr Wilkinson asked if anyone could imagine such a thing being done in England. While production had to be kept up it was necessary that workers should do military training, so people would have to put up with inconveniences. This statement was made in a discussion on the man-power problem. Mr S. H. Lill suggested that the Minister of Man-power be asked to watch the balloting of men next year in relation to primary production. Areas previously sown down in wheat will be in grass next year, said Mr PI. L. Chisnall, referring to the probable shortage of farm workers.

fMr S. H. Lill said there was no doubt that men had to he trained, but it was a question of fixing suitable times for camps. Mr R. G. Gerard said the only time musterers in the back-country would be free was in the winter. Mr Gerard appealed that the interests of backcountry farmers should also be watched. The idea that farmers and their sons dodged doing military service was quite wrong, he emphasised.

It was considered that the chairman (Mr IP. C. B. Withell) might be able to meet the H*m. R. Semple to discuss the question.

Mr Wilkinson said that after having seen'tlje Minister he felt that Mr Semple was fully aware of the position and would 410 all possible to relieve it. He understood that the North Oanterbury Council had interviewed the Manpower 'Committee to see what could be done. It was not, however, considered necessary to take this step here as two members of the committee were farmers of experience who would be well aware of the position.

It was decided to send forward a letter to the Minister through the National Council.