POTATO PRODUCERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 55, 5 March 1917, Page 2

POTATO PRODUCERS.

A CRY FROM FTJHEKOHE. APPEAL BEFORE SERVICE BOARD. TEMPORARY LEAVE GRANTED. Some information on the demand and value of what forms a part of the country's daily diet was afforded when an appeal for exemption from active sor- . vice was made by a resident of Pukekohe. Bernard Foy, farmer, applied for exemption on the ground of occupation, he being a farmer and producer. He was supporting a sister. Appellant said his property grew about 150 tons of potatoes, 50 to 60 tons of onions and la_ge quantities of carrots and wheat annually. The area of the farm was 43 acres. There were eight

acres of potatoes that would not be ready until the end of May, and 25 acrewere down in grass. He "had a brother liable for service, who roamed about and who he had, not seen for twelve months. The land was the best situated in Pukekohe and it had cost him hundreds -of pounds to keep the place clear of noxious weeds. The land was worth £100 per acre. To Major Conlan: The Government valuation of the land was somewhere about £50. He could not get a suitable tenant, and if he went away he would have to lock up the place and put steers on to it. The farm did not produce enough to warrant the appointment of a manager. 3fr. Mahony said there were several residents of the district present who could giv evidence as to the advisability of appellant being retained in the public interest. Mr. James O'Connor, farmer and resident of Pukekohe for 22 years, said the district's chief industry" was potato

growing. He was one of the biggest potato growers. He grew 34 acres of them now, and- before that 100 acres. The Puk„kohe potatoes went south principally— especially the early potatoes. Tbe appellant was regarded as one of the principal growers in Pukekohe. Some of the people were continuing cropping, and others were hesitating owing to liability for military service. If Mr. Foy was called up the public would lose one of its best producers. Potatoes could be sold without difficulty. There was a great difficulty in getting labour. Major Conlan: Has this deputation from Pukekohe come here to-day to influence the Board in releasing an eligible man from hie liability from active service for his country? Witness: I was asked by Mr. Mahony—. Mai 'or Conlan: What steps have the farmers in Pukekohe taken to relieve these men who are called up? Witness: They have quite enough to Co to look after their own farms. He had to sell hia land owing to the shortage of labour. Major Conlon: Since the war? —No, but I am prepared to sell the land I have now for the same reason. To Mr. Mahony: The people in that district go in mostly for intensive cultivation.. It -was more difficult to keep the cultivation going in the small Pukekohe district than in any other part of the Waikato. More labour was required, and people could not look after the spraying or of attending other peoplepotato crops. Appellants- case was an extraordinary one as regards his position as a producer.'. Mr. Mahony asked the Board to consider the case on its merits, and suggested that the appellant, in view of the circumstances, should be given a chance in the ballot, or the case could be adjourned in order to ascertain, what the Industrial Efficiency Board could do with the place. Otherwise he thought it might be wise to defer consideration of the case until the brother liable was found. It was now known .that he was in New Zealand. The appeal was dismissed, the chairman stating that the Board considered appellant could easily arrange his affairs ■by May 21.