ARMY AND THE HARVEST

Evening Star, Issue 24990, 8 October 1943, Page 5

ARMY AND THE HARVEST

SCHEME SUBMITTED APPROVED BY PRODUCERS For the purpose of hearing and discussing the Army's plans in connection with the forthcoming harvest as outlined by Lieutenant-colonel K. J. Walker, deputy adjutant-general, Southern Military District, a meeting, which was attended bv the Wheat Controller (Mr HI. McPherson), members, of the Otago Primary Production Council, and representatives of the district committees, the man power officer \Mt E. A. Selman), the assistant man power officer (Mr J. H. Flowers), and the area commander (Colonel J. CL Jeffery) was held vesterday afternoon. The chairman of the Primary Production Council, Mr A. C. Leary, presided. Lieutenant-colonel Walker explained the preliminary arrangements made by his department, defined the action required of primary production committees, and stressed the necessity for the closest co-operation between those committees and the producers. INFORMATION ASKED FOR.

The problems confronting the Army authorities were of much greater magnitude than last season when extensive forces were mobilised in camp on fulltime service and were therefore " on call " to meet all demands for labour, he said. In the coming season, harvesting would bo carried out by personnel called up for limited Territorial service, assisted by such troops as could be spared from mobilised establishments. It was therefore obvious that details of organisation would demand very close consideration and careful planning. Forms detailing the information required from the primary production committees to enable the Army to proceed with preliminary arrangements wore issued to those present. It was asked that a .return of the acreage of each type of crop -in each committee's area should be supplied as soon as possible, with details of the acreage to be harvested by header shown separately. It was also asked that the approximate date of the commencement of the harvest, the number of troops required, suggestions for the most suitable location for camps, and also details of the accommodation, available should be given. Information of the date of the commencement of harvesting work ■which -would be required at a later date was required. Tho committees were requested to make a survey of all farm employees in their area, and to organise this labour to assist in the harvest on a community basis. A number of these men would be required to act as supervisors of Army parties. MEN ALREADY RELEASED.

The Army has released to the primary producers in Canterbury, Otago, and Southland this year 2,393 men who had last season harvested under control, and they should be mobilised throughout each primary production committee's area. Lieutenant-colonel Walker continued. He expressed the Army's appreciation of the assistance given by primary production committees. He said that even greater demands must be made on them in the ensuing months. Be assured the meeting that the Army would guarantee very substantial and efficient assistance, but emphasised that it was dependent on the wholehearted co-operation and assistance of primary production, committees ou the lines indicated, and of nrimary producers generally.. A lengthy discussion of the scheme followed Lieutenant-colonel Walker's explanation, and a number of questions were asked and answered. Tho following resohitiou was then carried: " That the meeting approves the scheme outlined by Lieutenant-colonel Walker for the forthcoming harvest, and undertakes to co-operate to the fullest oxtent on the lines indicated in carrying it out successfully."