ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, 16 February 1917, Page 7

ESSENTIAL INDUSTRIES.

FARMERS SEEK EXEMPTION. Auckland. Feb. 15. At a meeting of the executive of the l arraers' I nion further discussion took place on the resolution passed at the previous meeting: ‘ That in order to conserve as far as possible all available labour for essential industries the compulsorv clauses of the Military Sen ice Act should for the present, be applied only in respect of those whose occupations could be suspended without detriment to the safety of the Empire or the ultimate, wealth-produc-ing power of the Dominion and in furtherance of this object all occu-■naim-ns should be at once classified.” In reply to the union’s commuuication the Acting Prime Minister wrote that classification of essential and non-essential industries was a matter which would be dealt with by the Industrial Efficiency Board and the organisation that would oe created under that board. “Indeed.” the letter ran. “the whole question of industry with respect to the farms of soldiers who go to the front comes within the scope of the Efficiency Board. I do not think they will stay their hand until they have gone into the whole question and dealt with it in a satisfactory way.’’

The executive adopted a resolution to the effect that local committees lie appointed throughout the districts to support appeals for the exemption of young men who are • known to be essential for the proi dnetion of foodstuffs.