MAN-POWER POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 136, 11 June 1945, Page 3

MAN-POWER POLICY

SOUTHLAND CRITICISM

P.A. INVERCARGILL, June 9. Strong criticism of the present manpower policy in New Zealand was expressed at the Southland Farmers' Union Conference last night during a discussion on the shortage of beef butchers in Southland. It was decided to send telegrams. to the Minister of Man-power (Mr. McLagan) and Mr. Adam Hamilton. The telegram to Mr. McLagan reads: "Do you want beef for Britain? If so, is the man-power position in New Zealand so chaotic that you cannot secure the release of married beef butchers held in New Zealand? Thousands <of pounds of beef here today is rapidly deteriorating. Send us the butchers if your concern for Britain is genuine."

The following telegram was sent to Mr. Hamilton: "This conference of Southland farmers views with grave concern your inability to procure the release of married beef butchers held in New Zealand when there is at pre-' sent on the hoof and rapidly going back in condition thousands of pounds of prime beef so urgently required by starving Britain."

It was stated that there were thousands of men in camp in New Zealand who would be better on the farms and the view .was expressed that the matter should be given full publicity. The position at present was that the farmers were maintaining at great expense stock which should have been sent to the freezing works long ago. That represented so much meat that was not being sent to England, where it was urgently needed. ,*,