WORKING THE LAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 83, 20 June 1944, Page 5

WORKING THE LAND

RETURNED SERVICEMEN'S

POSITION

EMPLOYMENT IN BAY

At a meeting of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Primary Production Council last week, Mr Salt from the Manpower Office discussed with members the farm labour position. He said troops from the Pacific now returning to assist in essential production were given, before leaving, the choice of several occupations when they arrived in New Zealand. Some publicity has indicated that more men were returning than there were applications to employ, but he said, so far as this district is concerned it had responded well and it j would be necessary to draw from other areas to fill the demand. Farmer applicants nominating a soldier got the preference of his services, so anyone wishing to secure; the service of their son or other known member must make an application on the prescribed form N.S. 209 giving name and number of the soldier . The Manpower Office, was most anxious to give all assistance and cooperation, but had noi option if a man was not nominated, but to direct him on the completion of his leave to take up the class of work he elected when he embarked for home. When these men were directed to a farm they were unable to resign on their own accord, nor could they be dismissed off hand, but should the service be unsatisfactory, then provision was made to have the position reviewed and if circumstances justified an adjustment will be made. Mr Salt mentioned that many applications had been on the file since early May, but he was confident the farming industry would be fully serv ed before the season was advanced too far. It has been the experience of the Manpower Officer in the past that farmers who have already filled in the N.S. 209 form for men from the forces, but who in the meanwhile have engaged labour from 1 other sources, have neglected to cancel their original application. This oversight has led: to considerable trouble and loss of time in official quarters. Farmers are therefore asked to make a point of cancelling their application as soon: as they engage the labour they require from quarters other than the Army.