A LAND ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 64, 15 March 1940, Page 5

A LAND ARMY

SUGGESTION FOR FARM

WORKERS

MILITARY PAY AND STATUS (Bj Telegriph—Press Association.) TAURANGA, March 14. At a meeting of the Bay of Plenty District Council of Primary Production today, the chairman, Mr. D. S. Ross, moved "that it be a recommendation to the .National pouncfl 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 on the reserve, form a nucleus in this WSpeakin'g 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 on 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 A further motion by Mr. Ross, unanimously agreed to was: "That m view of the request of the Imperial GovemmenHhat we increase primaryproduction, 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 land settlement schemes offered for soldiers at the conclusion of. the war."