Manpower For Food War’s Best Kept Secret

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1944, Page 4

Manpower For Food War’s Best Kept Secret

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr K. J. Holyoake (Oppn., Pahiatua), speaking to the Finance Bill after the Hon. D. G. Sullivan had formally moved its second reading in the House of Representatives last night, said the pi'oduction of foodstuffs was declining in the face of repeated British and American requests for larger shipments. The crux of the problem was in manpower.. If the Government had the oolicy it claimed to have for manpower in food production, it was the war’s best kept seci-et. The farmers’ basic difficulty was shortage of experienced labour. Othei' handicaps were the need for a fair price and more fertilisers. The morale of the farming community was also impaired. There was a deep-seated sense of injustice and frustration today throughout the primary industries. He was aware that the Minister for Agriculture was trying' to overcome this psychological handicap, but it required the thorough sympathy of the whole Government.

Mr Holyoake advocated that every skilled fai’m worker possible should be permanently returned to the land from the forces. Other workei-s should be combed from less essential industries and country gilds should be discouraged from leaving their homes for other employment. Farmers should got a just price, enabling them 1o pay more attractive wages.