NEXT SEASON’S WHEAT SOWINGS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23587, 14 March 1942, Page 5

NEXT SEASON’S WHEAT SOWINGS

PROCEDURE FOR APPEAL A scheme had been approved for the release of specific men, or volunteers from camps, as experienced workers for the planting of next season’s essential cereal and root crops, was a statement in a letter front the South Canterbury Manpower Committee received at a meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Council of Primary Production yesterday. The scheme should only be availed of as a lest resort, the letter said. The applications would have to bear the recommendation of cither the local Primal,v Production Council, a field officer of the Agriculture Department, or the representative of the local committee set up for wheat production. Once these bodies were satisfied that the release of a man from camp was essential. a recommendation would have to be forwarded to the Placement Officer in the district for his certificate that no civilian labour was available. The appeal would then be considered oy the manpower committee and, if approved, immediate arrangements would be made for the release of the specified man or a suitable volunteer from camp. It was desired that if a volunteer was released for the services of two or three farmers jointly, some responsible person should be charged with the duty of supervising the soldier’s work to see that he was engaged fully and only for the purpose of the planting of the harvest crops Colonel R. Harper attended the meeting and discussed problems connected with the next wheat season. Mr H. L. Chisnall said that so far the prospects were that there would be less wheat grown in the Hinds district next season. In the Mayfield district an increase of 25 per cent was indicated, Mr D. Johnstone stated. Mr C. Hilgendorf reported that there would probably be about the same amount of wheat grown in the Lauriston district next season tjs there was this season. Other reports were that the increase in the Lagmhor district was 33 1-3 per cent., while there would also be an increase in the Lowcliffe district. The Greenstreet-Ashburlon Forks farmers would grow about an equal amount of grain. It appeared there would be a definite increase in th. Chertsey district. Mr G. K. McPherson said that MidCanterbury had more than filled its quota in the last season. There was a substantial drop in the Rakaia district acreage. It was decided to protest to the Government about the increase in the price of manure as this would have a detrimental effect on the growing of wheat. The meeting also objected to increasing the size of the bags as the younger and fitter men were absent, and it was decided to write to the Director of National Service about the matter. ________________ __