NATIONAL SERVICE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 July 1918, Page 2

NATIONAL SERVICE.

COMPULSION IN FARMING LABOUR'S COMPLAINTS (Special Jo ''Star.")

( WELLINGTON, This Day: Some very illuminating' tilings have been said this week on tlie. question of national war- service, ±lOlll two points of view. It is asserted by many prominent La-, hour men that the JN T ew Zealand farmer has 'been altogether too tenderly treated by the Government, that he is allowed to demand his own price for his produets, though they are just as essential for winning the war as a supply of men, but that on the other hand, the ordinary worker, if of military age, has no option but to fight for his country for five shillings a day- These two vieAvpoints were put to the public from authoritative and the Government's answer was also forthcoming*. A Labour conference which has considered the proposed national service clause of the Finance Act presented to several Ministers the result of its deliberations. The conference was at the disadvantage of not knowing the precise shape of the national service scheme, but in view of the general attitude of the Government it resolved "to 'fight," and the delegates indulged in some plain speaking when they faced the Min]>uers. They took the line that the farmers and workers are differently treated. Said Mr Black: The farmers were allowed to adopt the "go-slow" policy and grow wheat or not, as they chose, while the workers were penalised for such action. The farmers were allowed to send butter, meat and wool to the Old Country and to fatten on the blood and tears of the people at Home. The workers saw the seriousness of the position just as much as the Government did, and they were prepared to do their share if the Government was prepared to stop exploitation by the employers, and to see that each *uiam —employer or worker—got justice.

Sir James Allen's reply pointed to the comprehensive nature of tlie national service' clause, covering- as it does, not only personal service but any branch of industry required to be utilised for the public welfare- He deprecated a cry strongly mutual suspicions between employer and employed, and urged the deputation to cooperate together with the Government and with their employers for the common good. The Government wished to secure such cooperation, and thus avoid the need for compulsion. In the case of military service they had followed the voluntary principle as long as they could, but the time came when, in the interests of democracy itself, they had to enforce conscription, and every man, rich or poor, had to go into camp 'when called. ' >

It was the Hon. W- J). 8. Macdonald ,at a meeting of ihc Council of Agriculture, who gave the fullest answer to the suggestion that the farmer has been more gently treated than tin/ ■worker under compulsion. The Minister, who has not hesitated to condemn the dairy producers for an exhibition of the grasping policy, told the Council of Agriculture that a certain, number of farmers wanted more for their products, but the majority were satisfied. "We think it a fair proposition," he said, "that Britain should be allowed to control our materials until she reestablished her industries, and if she asks for only twelve months at the present prices we are getting, I think she is making a remarkable offer to the people of this country. And yet we have a propaganda in this country of 'Let us have three months.' We have to realise that Britain must be ready to enter the commercial war after the present conflict. We have been so imbued with

sordid commercialism that we have allowed Britain to bear the burden of protecting; the Pacific and we have not paid for our share." As for tlie criticised guarantees to farmers, the Minister said: "You know, of course, iliat oilier countries arc giving guarantees to farmers as to prices ami guarantees as to labour. The outlook for producing wheat is not very bright at the present time. The principal reason against a good production of wheat is that the farmers in the chief growing areas have bad two or three bad seasons. The farmers have risen to the occasion, but the Weather being against them they did not get the best return from their laud. • . Many criticise the farmer, but thev cannot expect him to tvo in for r»n iudustvv which'is not a payable pronosition. So there is -no other course but for the Oovov-nmeYif to assist the farmer in this matter.

For Chronic. Chest Complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. 1/6, 2/6.—Advt. Eiglitecnpence spent on Nazol will keep you free from colds this Winter. Take on sugar or inhale. Sixty doses 1/6. .Get