FARMERS AND DEFENCE

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17264, 4 September 1916, Page 6

FARMERS AND DEFENCE

MAINTENANCE OF PRODUCTION,

Replying to resolutions of the Dominion Conference of the Farmers' Union regarding defence, the Hon James Allen states: —

"I am in entire accord with you that New Zealand should assist materially in the naval defence of the Empire by providing one or more ships and men in lieu of a naval subsidy, and whatever I can do to bring this about will bo most heartily done, with respect to the second resolution, the eompulsorv clause of the Military Service Act will be brought into operation when anv recruiting district fails m obligations to supply the men on the voluntary principle. It is -not deemed advisable to do away with volunteering at present. "T note your suggestion that committees should decide who should serve at "the front, and who should stay to maintain production. Appeal Boards will be set up to deal with the. question of the exemption of those .wo require for production, and I am sure the Farmers' Union will give then valuable assistance to these Appeal. Boards when the time comes for them, to consider any appeals. You can also assist materially by making arrangements locally for some farmers to get away if yon can select men to look after "their farms jjehile they aro absent. Perhaps by arrangement ob£ man may look after two or three farms. This really is at present a difficulty, and will become more so when the compulsory clause of the Act is brought into operation, and I shall be glad of any help or suggestion you can make in the matter."