THE LAND SERVICE

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1942, Page 2

THE LAND SERVICE

MRS DREAVER, MIP;, SPEAKS. The organisation and work of the Land Service were described by Mrs M. M. Dreaver, M.P., to a gathering in the Borough Council Chamberslast night. The Mayor, Mr F. A. Kitchingham, presided.

Mrs Dreaver said she had not come on an idle visit. With Mrs Grigg, she had already toured the North Island, and good results were being obtained. It was important that the Primary Production Councils should realise the purposes for which the Land Service existed. They were the people behind the farmer. And in any dispute between farmer and employee, the Women’s War Service Auxiliary looked after the interests of the girl. All women in the Land Service werenow entitled to the uniform and working equipment. The latter included khaki drill overalls with skirt to match, sou’-wester, cap, boots and stockings, a leather jerkin, and, if necessary, wooden clogs.. Many farmers’ daughters working op the land had wondered whether they, too, could receive this equipment. The Director of National Service had now approved of its being supplied to them, and they had only to put in an application in the usual way. All applications from girls for membership in the Land Service went through the W.W.S.A., and all applications from farmers for girls were made to the Primary Production Councils. Local authority must be given to these bodies, forjhosejm the spot, who knew the farmers and girls concerned, were best able to make the decisions. She was sure that this executive power would soon be given

Mrs Dreaver quoted an instance of two inexperienced girls who, after nine months, had become excellent farmers, and were milking ten cows. Girls from the cities were going from all vocations on to the land and liking it, and the farmers were liking them. Even sheep-farming was being done by them; and though it was hoped that Enough men would be', left to do the heavy work and butenering, women were prepared to do mucn unpleasant work if they had to l . A scheme to train girls was being put in hand, and negotiations with one experimental farm were already proceeding. In many cases, however, the speaker continued, farm girls could do a job right away. During the first three months, a dairy-farmer received a subsidy of fl a week, and during the second three months a subsidy of 12s 6d. During this training, period the girls received £2 Is a week, which was raised to £2 8s 6d at the end of six months. In addition, free board was provided, or, where girls preferred to bach, £1 board money was paid. In the case of farmers’ daughters, wages paid were the concern of the farmer, but the Primary Production Council saw to it that the girl did a full job of work. The full dress issue was' made only at the end of a month, and the uniform, as with soldiers, remained the property of the Government.

Mrs Dreaver stressed the need for more production on the land. The girls were willing. Many of them had friends overseas, and she saw these girls as the farmers’ wives of tfie future, under the big rehabilitation scheme which the Government had in hand. Girls in the Land Service were covered by insurance in the same way as other agricultural workers, and if thev had) commitments they icould apply for assistance. Holidays were also provided for under the regulations. To those farmers who 1 feared that girls might leave them at the end of their training. Mrs Dreaver suggested that the solution was for farming to become an essential industry.

Concluding, the speaker urged the establishment of a Home Service as part of the Land Army, so that farmers’ wives might be released to help in the training of girls. Answering a question, Mrs Dreaver said that girls who left the West: Coast to work on farms would be adequately protected. Production Council saw to 1 it that'- the right type of farmer was selected.’A vote of thanks was passed with acclamation. 1