Manpower For Farms

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1944, Page 3

Manpower For Farms

Further information concerning manpower on farms was given at the dairy board conference in' Whangarei on Monday by the northern ward member (Mr. A. J. Murdoch, M.P.). in replies he had received from the Ministers for Defence and Manpower. The question was raised by Mr. G. Reynolds (Maungatepere), who said that a farmer at Houto was in the Pacific and 35 cows with calves Had been left without attention. Mr. Murdoch said that 27 Northland farmers had been called up for the air force and he had communicated wi’h the Minister for Defence (Hon. F. Jones'), wire had replied that selection committees were interviewing only those men not heir! under appeal. In' any case, the manpower officer would arrange for appeals by the Director of National Service respecting farmers and farm workers, whose retention was desired. He suggested that the local manpower officer, who. it was understood, had been fully instructed by his department, should be consulted. Mr. Murdoch said he had asked for a more explicit statement and had received a telegram from the Minister for Manpower (Hon. A. McLagan). giving an assurance that where calling up of men was likely to impede the Government’s programme of increased primary production steps would be taken to retain such men in industry. He suggested that any individual cases that might possibly come under notice should be referred urgently to the district manpower officer at Whangarei, who would take steps to have mobilisation deferred.

Mr. Reynolds said he would follow Mr. Murdoch’s advice and made immediate application for return and release of the man he had mentioned.