Manpower, Coal And Electricity

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 150, 27 June 1945, Page 5

Manpower, Coal And Electricity

FARMERS DISCUSS THREEFOLD PROBLEMS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 26. After discussing the shortages of manpower, coal and electricity the National Dairy Conference to-day appointed a committee of 12 as a deputation to bring before <the Government immediately the necessity for a definite plan for primary production in the coming season. The discussion, which arose out of tlio meeting in Hawera last Wednesday, was given precedence over other conference business.

Mr. F. Morgan said the last call-up of men for military service had created more trouble than any other during the war. Farmers did not know how to carry on. If they knew what the future was to be they could plan for it. They felt that it was time to ask the Government for some definite statement.

Mr. Corbett, M.P., said that in Taranaki as much butter would be lost through the last indiscriminate call-up as was gained through the extra butter rationing. Some herds had been reduced, others completely disposed of und the cows had not been absorbed into other herds. What had taken place showed a definite lack of policy. Other speakers stressed the handicaps under which the farmers were suffering as a result of the coal and electricity shortages.

Earlier in liis address to the conference the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. B. Roberts) had stated that ho was not unmindful of the labour difficulty especially in relation to the increased production targets, but since 1943 14,000 men had returned to farms and 4000 been taken off them so that there was an increase of 10,000 on the land since 1943. In addition when shipping was available 20,000 men were coming back plus 6000 to 7000 roturued men from prison camps, some of whom would return to the farms.

Discussing the same subject in his address the chairman (Mr. F. Parsons) said the outlook for the coming season was not bright. Many herds were going out of production owing to the uncertainty of obtaining labour. Last year the men returning from the Pacific filled the gap and kept many farms in production, but the last call-up had made the position very insecure and unsatisfactory not only on the farms* but also in the factories. “However, don’t let us get our tails down. We have gone through a lot in the last six years and we will still carry on and do our best because the people of Britain must have butter and cheese.”

Referring to the suspension of the conference last year because of the lack of transport, Mr. Parsons said he felt that if the coal industry put its back into it as the dairy farmers had done there would be no rail transport problem.

At another stage a delegate, referring to a remark by the Minister about, increased coal production, said the increase was not attributable to the miners but to contractors and others working opeucasts. The per head production of the miners had decreased.

Replying, the Minister said: “I admit the miners could work a bit better. Some of us get a bit hot under the collar when they go to the races, but we want to look at both sides. Both the miners and farmers have made a good contribution. We don’t help our own case by blackening the other fellow. I don’t think many of us want to go down in a mine. I haven’t seen many volunteering.’ 'V