LEAVE FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 138, 7 March 1942, Page 8

LEAVE FOR SOLDIERS

Assistance With Planting Essentia] Crops ZONING OF LABOUR Arrangements made for the granting of leave from military camps for men experienced in agricultural work to enable them to assist with the planting of wheat and other essential cereal and root crops, have been announced by the Minister of National Service, Mr. Semple. “The Minister of Agriculture has made an appeal for the increased production of wheat and other essential crops,” said Mr. Semple, ••and he states that in order that this country may be self-supporting it is necessary for at least 300,000 acres of wheat to be grown this year. One of the difficulties to be faced in this connexion is the provision of adequate labour. “A scheme has therefore been adopted whereby experienced men will be granted leave from territorial service on the recommendation of the manpower committee.” said Mr. Semple. "Tlie period will be for not more than two months, though there is authority to extend this period in special circumstances.” Mr. Semple explained that farmers who had been asked by the district councils of primary production to plant wheat and other essential crops and who were in need of labour, _ should make application in the first instance to the loeal placement officer. These officers were arranging for the zoning of the labour required so that every man granted leave from camp would be used to the best advantage. Calls were being made in the camps for volunteers from those with the necessary experience, and tlie placement officers would make application to the local manpower committee for military leave for approved men in those cases where other labour was not available. It would be recognized that owing to weather conditions it might not be possible to begin with the work as anticipated, and in such cases tlie manpower committee would recommend that leave would be granted from a date to be advised when conditions were suitable.”

"I wish to join witii tlie Minister of Agriculture in liis appeal for increased production this season,” said Mr. Semple, “and I trust that farmers will not be discouraged from planting wheat or other essential crops by undue apprehension that they will be unable to obtain the necessary labour. I should like to empliasize, however, that co-operation witii the placement officers Is most necessary for the satisfactory allocation of labour, and that all applications should lie made to these officers in the first instance.”