LABOUR FOR FARMS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3276, 16 June 1943, Page 5

LABOUR FOR FARMS

DEMOBILISED GRADE 2 MEN

MECHANICS FOR GARAGES

PRODUCTION COUNCIL MEETS

The June meeting of the Thames District Council of Primary Production was held recently, the chairman, Mr S. E. Hall presiding. Others present were Messrs W. Hamilton, H. S. Curtis, C. W. Schultz, Dan Courtney, W. A. /Jefferis, E. W. Harris and. W. H. Cheale (members), Mr R. W. Chappell representing National Service Department, Paeroa, and Mr Allo, instructor, Department of Agriculture, Thames, and Mr J. E. Green, secretary. Apology for unavoidable absence was received from Mr Jas. Thorn, M.P. Five appeals were received and dealt with, all being supported and recommended by the council. Mr R. W. Chappell addressed the meeting as to the ■ progress made by his department with replacements with demobilised grade 2 and 3 men in the council’s territory and the releases that had been made by the Army and also details of how the scheme had been working so far but that "there was still a shortage of suitable labour for farms. He also explained that the supply of motor mechanics for garages appeared to be becoming very acute. Mechanics Needed It was resolved that the council make representations to the Director of National Service, Wellington, that the supply of motor mechanics ior garages was becoming very acute indeed in the council’s territory. and that in the opinion of this council regard should be had to the reasonable requirements of the' industry to enable it to cope with much urgent work affecting primary production directly and indirectly as had been evidenced by the failure of an appeal by the council for the release of a man in camp who was not eligible for overseas service.

Members reported that they had received notice from producers in their respective areas that good crops had been obtained by them in response to advice given them by the council last spring and asking the council’s advice as to disposal of same. Mr Allo representing the Department of Agriculture stated he had communicated with his department on the matter and that producers or this council should communicate with Mr Hamilton of the Department of Agriculture, Auckland, who would no doubt be able to give advice as to the disposal of the pumpkins. It was resolved that the secretary write Mr Hamilton for information. Rehabilitation Matters Mr S. Ensor, chairman of the Thames Rehabilitation Committee addressed the meeting and thanked the council for the invitation to address members of the council on the activities of the Thames Rehabilitation Committee which he said so far had been mainly of a judicial nature and outlined the methods of procedure of dealing with applications. Mr Ensor said he appreciated very much the manner in which council members had offered to co-operate and he felt sure his committee would be glad to avail itself of the wide and varied experience of the members of the council in the different branches of the farming industry that they represented. s The chairman of the council, Mr Hall, assured Mr Ensor that the council and its members would be pleased to be of any help or assistance to his committee at all times and he could call upon them when in need of any information he thought they could give. Members asked many questions which Mr Ensor answered and took a note of.for further reference. Mr Ensor thanked the chairman and members for the hearing given him and withdrew.

The chairman, Mr Hall and Mr Allo, as members of the local Fertiliser Committee stated that applications for fertiliser ration had now closed and had been dealt with by the committee and that applicants would shortly be advised of their allocations for next season.