Soldier Harvesters

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1943, Page 5

Soldier Harvesters

(Special) WELLINGTON, Friday. “Information that has come from vanous sources is that, generally speaking, the men are very happy to be on the harvest fields under any conditions, as they provide a change from the monotony of the camps.” This statement by the acting-Minister for Defence (Mr. Fraser) in the House of Representatives yesterday was greeted with a chorus of “Hear, hears” from both sides of the House. Mr. Poison (National—Stratford) interjected: Are thev satisfied with their pay? Mr. Fraser was replying to an urgent question by Mr. Clyde Carr (Government—Timaru). Mr. Carr’s question was whether Mr. Fraser was aware that in some cases members of the armed forces were asked to work a ten-hour day in the harvest field, even on threshing mills, on army pay, and if they refused to do so were “put on the mat” and given “C. 8.”; and would the Minister make a statement regarding the matter for the information of farmers, officers and men. Mr. Fraser said he had no personal knowledge that the conditions, as outlined by Mr. Carr, existed. He said he would obtain an immediate report from the army authorities and would make a statement as soon as he was in possession of the full facts.