MORE CO-ORDINATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 43, 30 November 1940, Page 2

MORE CO-ORDINATION.

PRODUCTION' AND DEFENCE.

WHEATGRO WEES’ REQUEST. (Special to the “ Guardian ”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. _ A request that the military authorities should co-ordinate the needs of production, and defence by rearranging the times of calling farm labour for Territorial service is contained in a resolution passed by the annual meeting of United Wheatgrowiers (N.Z.), Ltd., yesterday. United ’Wheatgrowers represents practically every grower in New Zealand.

It was reported that the meeting spent some time debating the effect of military service on, farm labour, and was unanimous in the opinion that every assistance should be given the military authorities. “As the war progresses the drafting of men for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and Territorial service will naturally be a, strain on our labour,” said the chairman (Mr H. F. Nicoll). “While this is hard to reconcile with increased production we mustdo ouir best to fill the gaps with all our strength. One way is ini increased mechanisation —something we did not have in the last war when a far greater proportion of our young men were fighting overseas. Mechanisation is difficult, for many, and impossible for others, so that there is quite a body of growers with a very difficult problem before them.”

The following .resolution was carried I : —“That this electoral committee of wheatgrowers, while recognising the duty of all citizens to train for military service, at- the same time views with concern the withdrawal of so many skilled farm workers from primary industries during the ensuing six months and requests the Minister for Manpower to grant an alteration- of the periods of time in which these men may be trained for Territorial service.”