RELEASE OF FARM WORKERS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23743, 15 September 1942, Page 6

RELEASE OF FARM WORKERS

RESOLUTION SENT TO MINISTER SCARCITY OF SHEARERS AT CHEVIOT The serious position arising from the refusal of Army authorities to release experienced farm hands who have been recommended by the Manpower Committee was discussed by members of the Cheviot Primary Producers’ Council held at Cheviot. Members spoke of the serious position resulting from the non-release of shearers and experienced farm workers. The committee had been advised in July by the Hon. R. Semple that it should submit the names of shearers it considered should be released. It was pointed out that if these 12 men were not available for shearing, it would mean that between 60,000 and 70.000 more sheep would not be shorn. The committee considered that the shearing of sheep by men in the district at present would be a sheer impossibility as shearing operations with a small number of workers would not be completed before the harvest would be ready. As a result of the discussion, it was decided that the following resolution should be sent to the Hon. W. J. Poison. Minister of Production: — “That this meeting of the Primary Production Committee views the position of manpower as urgent and critical, and respectfully draws your attention to the following facts: “That in view of recent promises and advice of release of experienced farm hands, we desire to bring to your notice the increased acreage of wheat and roots, and the acute position arising from the scarcity of shearers, and trust • that, considering this, you will not hesitate to thoroughly investigate the position and so release for this year experienced shearers and farm hands. “Failing this, we believe that it will be impossible to carry out our harvest programme of increased production as planned.” A copy of this resolution has been sent to the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes.