LAND ARMY FOR NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 146, 15 March 1940, Page 8

LAND ARMY FOR NEW ZEALAND

Production Council’s Suggestion WORK ON FARMS FOR ARMY PAY (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TAURANGA, March 0. At a meeting of the Bay of Plenty District Council of Primary Production held here today, the chairman, Mr. D. S. Ross, moved that it be a recommendation to the National Council that ways and means be found of forming a land army under military status and conditions, and that those men who have already enlisted and been placed ou the reserve, form a nucleus in this way. Speaking to the motion, Mr. Ross said that many boys were anxious to enlist, but felt it their duty to remain on farms. This was apt to place them in a false position. Many were prepared to sign ou for the duration of the war, and place themselves at the disposal of the Government. If allowed to do this, they would have military status and army pay, working on the land, or would be ready to serve overseas if required. The motion was unanimously agreed to.

A further motion by Mr. Ross, unanimously agreed to, was: “That in view of the request of the Imperial Government that we increase primary production, an authoritative statement be made immediately to the effect that workers on farms are undertaking work of first national importance, at least equal to that of the fighting forces, and that all farm workers be requested to stay on farms and not offer themselves for active service till the Government indicates otherwise, and that in recognition of the same, farm workers will receive equal consideration in any laud settlement schemes offered for soldiers at the conclusion of the war,”