Dairymen's Part In Empire’s War Effort

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1940, Page 10

Dairymen's Part In Empire’s War Effort

Announcing that, this year the annual conference of the N.D.A. would not be held, the national chairman (Mr Arhur Morton) told the Northland Daryl Association today that all efforts must be bent to prosecution of the war. Abandonment of the conference for the first time in 45 years was greatiy regretted, but for it to have been held would have entailed 500 farmers being absent from their work, at considerable expenditure. “We meet today under the shadow of a war, which looks to be very much more serious than that of 25 years aeo.” Mr Morton said. “To attain victory every part of the Empire must do its best to assist in the common effort. •“Britain already has been deprived of many sources of her food supply, and our duty is to increase production to compensate the Motherland for this loss of output. All Energies To Production “The nature of our country is eminently suitable to produce these very things which Britain requires. “We should donate all our energies and every ounce of our strength to supplying Britain's needs.. “This must be done quickly. “Up to the present I know of little having been done to organise such steps as are necessary.

“Meeting in Wellington last-week, the N.D.A. executive passed a resolution advocating conscription of manpower and material, and relaxation of working conditions, while at the same time the Government was taking similar measures. “Government measures were nc-1 completely on the lines advocated, but will probably come still further into line when Parliament meets this week. “We are hoping that the Government will go as far as the Imperial authorities. “There, representatives of the Labour movement have been brought into the Cabinet and told the workers that they have to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and work like hell. Our Contribution to Success “In New Zealand, too, we have to realise that upon our efforts, to some extent, success in the war also depends. “Today, I trust, steps will be taken to bring into being steps for bringing about a full realisation of the seriousness of the position and fostering the increased production so urgently required by Britain.” Concluding his address. Mr Morton said: “When wc next meet, I think it will be under far happier auspices.

‘Before then we will have to pass through much tribulation, but will remember always that everything we do is with the object of bringing about a happier state of things in the future.”