SERVICEMEN’S RETURN

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24610, 5 July 1945, Page 3

SERVICEMEN’S RETURN

STATEMENT ON POLICY WANTED PRIMARY PRODUCTION COUNCIL MEETING The stimulus to production that would be effected by' the return .of men from overseas service was discussed at a meeting of the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production yesterday, and it was decided that the Government should be asked to make a statement bn policy in the matter, as such a statement was bound to give production a great stimulus. . _ “It has been stated that the Government will place before the public its policy with regard to the return of men from the Middle East,” said Mr A. R. Turnbull, “but no definite statement has yet been made. Surely the time has arrived when they can give’ us some information." Mr W. W. Mulholland, a member of the National Primary Production Council, who was present at the meeting, said the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts) had recently stated that more than 20,000 men were coming back from the , Middle East, and more than 7000 former prisoners of war were also returning* “I think I might say that some of these men from the Middle .East are probably on their way,” continued Mr Mulholland. “They will not be available to take up work before November or December, for they are entitled to their furlough. “The Government has been unable to indicate how many of these men will remain in New Zealand. The recent remarks of the Minister of Agriculture could have been taken to imply that all the men would not be remaining in New Zealand I think, however, that you can take it as certain that up tc the 10th Reinforcements will be discharged." 'Mr Mulholland’s remarks were nebulous and contained nothing further than had already been announced, said Mr Turnbull. “The real point is that we know they cannot be available for the beginning of the season/* said Mr Mulholland, “but .they will be available later." *