LABOUR FROM FORCES

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1944, Page 4

LABOUR FROM FORCES

NO MEN FROM MIDDLE EAST.

P.A. WELLINGTON, May 12. An important statement was made today, by the Minister of Industrial Manpower (Mr. McLagan) regarding the return of men for a period from the Pacific, for increased food production. He said the present plans did not provide for the return of any men from the Middle East and no action could be taken on applications of farmers for release of former employees now serving in that theatre, although many of these had been received. The Minister said that a fairly liberal estimate had been made of the number of additional farm employees required to increase production, and he was confident that sufficient labour of a suitable type would be available from the men returning from the Pacific. . As far as practicable experienced workers would be returned to the farms from which they came, but no guarantee could be given as to when any particular man would be available. An important thing was for farmers to advise the Department Immediately as to what men were required and to give all particulars asked for on form NX 209-