National Register of Fanners

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 153, 1 July 1939, Page 3

National Register of Fanners

FARMERS ’ UNION FAVOURS MILITARY TRAINING In discussing a proposal that the Farmers’ Union should take steps to compile a national register of farmers, as a measure towards preparedness in the event of a crisis, at yesterday’s meeting of the committee of the Feilding branch of the Farmers’ Union, Air. H. D. Richardson (president) remarke that it was a pretty big order. However, he said, the young people appeared to be rather dilatory in offering thei: services in answer to the appeal of the Government and it was up to the farmers to endeavour to do something towards providing an organisation to meet any national emergency. Air. A. li. Brown considered the scheme a good one. Any mobilisation of man power on a big scale, would, he suggested, result in the disorganisation of the services and therefore it was necessary to have some organisation in train. Up to the moment nothing had been done towards organising the civil population in preparedness for any crisis and a trial mobilisation would demonstrate how disorganised the country really was. A call had been made for volunteers but so far no steps had been taken to fill the occupations of those who might be called upon to defend their country. This was the point which he considered should be taken up. Air. H. A. Stewart felt that the union should first ascertain whether the Government was prepared to co-operate in the scheme. The chairman said that he was confident that the Government would be willing to co-operate with any voluntary scheme to meet any national emergency. Mr. D. L. Younger, while in agreement with, the need for preparing, could not see how the scheme would work. If a crisis came all farming would stop and the farms would have to look after themselves. Who would have the say as to who was to serve and who was to look after the farm? He saw difficulties in the way. His opinion was that every effort should be made to encourage military training, lie was quite prepared to do his bit but was unable to see how the national register of farmers could be fixed to bring about a satisfactory result. Following a lengthy discussion it was agreed to prepare a circular to be sent out to all farmers pointing out the need for some organisation to meet any national emergency and to suggest a general meeting to consider further proposals.