DEPLETION OF FARM WORKERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10107, 15 October 1917, Page 5

DEPLETION OF FARM WORKERS.

(Peb Press Association.) RAWER A, Oct. 15. At a sitting of the First Wellington Military Service Board, on Saturday, Mr R. D. "Walsh, solicitor, referred to a statement in the press that a memorandum had been addressed by the Recruiting Board to Military Service Boards relative to the depletion* of skilled farm workers. The statement had come as a surprise. Mr Welsh said he desired to know if the Board would make some pronouncement so that counsel could advise their clients. the chairman (Mr Cooper) said he thought the report must be. wrong, as his Board had not received any communication from the Recruiting Board. The Boards were judicial bodies whose functions were regulated by the Military Service Act. Ibe military representative (Captain Walker) stated also that lie had not received a copy of the memorandum referred to. All members agreed that an extraordinary position had arisen. Mr McLean said the Board had never been directed as to what it should do, but determined appeals impartially on the evidence presented. Mr Williams said be could not understand the attitude- of the Minister, who; at a conference in Wellington, complimented the Boards on the manner in which their work was done. All agreed that an extraordinary .position had arisen.