MILITARY SERVICE AND FARM LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 136, 4 March 1940, Page 8

MILITARY SERVICE AND FARM LABOUR

Attitude Of Farmers’ Union REPLACEMENT OF MEN WHO ENLIST The question of military service for men on farms was discussed in Wellington recently at a meeting of tlie Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. It was stated that tlie need for a frank statement of tlie union's attitude toward recruits being provided by the farming industry was recognized, and tlie following resolution was adopted;— "That while realizing the great national need of maintaining primary production at the fullest capacity possible, we are of the opinion that men engaged in this work who are eligible for military service should have equal opportunity witli those in other industries of serving overseas. We recognize tlmt service in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces is tlie highest and the most noble a man can render for his country, and no man should be denied tlmt honour. At the same time, we would point out the vital necessity of releasing men not eligible for military service from non-essential industries, Public Works, and relief schemes, to till Hie positions made vacant by enlistments of men engaged in farming activities.” Adjustments Necessary. Speaking on the resolution, tlie Dominion president, Mr. W. W. Mulholland, sitid he wanted to emphasize that the farmers of New Zealand wanted only tlie opportunity to put tlieir house in order, and make the required adjustments to release the necessary men. Farmers were of tlie opinion that any reservations of farm manpower were valid only so long as the need of tlie Army for men was not greater than the need for men for tlie production of farm produce. This was tlie policy ot’ more than 90 per cent, of tlie farmers of the country. It was quite likely that they would have to put up witli an inexperienced class of labour on tlie farms, in order to maintain manpower that tlie Army might require, but that would be a part of tlie farmers’ contribution toward the war effort, said -Mr. Mulholland. Men Must Be Replaced. Mr. 11, E. Blyde, a vice-president of tlie union, in supporting tlie resolution, said they all realized the very.great need there was to keep production at tlie highest possible peak, but be believed that could be done without all the tit men being retained on tlie farms. However, when men were taken for the Army, they would have to be replaced by others. Tlie question of future prices for farm products was also discussed by tlie executive, which decided that it should be impressed on tlie Government tlmt if production was to lie maintained and increased, prices paid for larm products should allow for tile known increases that had taken place in tlie cost of production.