MILITARY SERVICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 5 October 1917, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE

LAST -MAX OX THE FARM. (By Telegraph. —Own Correspondent.) WF.LLLYGTOX, This Day. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mr Dickie brought under th e notice of the Minister of .Amiculture cases where farmers, who were in the First Division had. at the ■Government's request, put. in iarue quantities of wheat, and, they were now being cubed up for service after being ■riven to understand that the last man on the farm would be exempted. The Hon. \Y. .1). S. MaeDona'.d replied that when discussing the wheat, question, he had been asked some t|tiest.ions. Farmers had informe-i him ' that it would be quite impossible under the present conditions to do what was required, if there was no labour. 'He had consulted Sir James Allen on the matter, and he had stated that the produce of the country must be maintained.

The Hon, YV. T>. S. Mac Donald continued that the .Military Service Boards knew the minds of the Government on the matter. He had advised the farmers that where the last man was called up an appeal should be lodged, and he felt convinced that the Board v.;:uld adjourn the cas e sine die. Voices: It is not being done. The Minister went on to say that the time had arrived when the hist man should 'iot. be called upon to go into camp. Now that the matter had been brought before the Government he was sure it would receive attention. Mr Massey supplemented these remarks bv stating that- the matter was now under the consideration of the Go-vern-ment. and he could say it was iv.it the intention of the Government to take the last man from the farm, where his service? were necessary to the country. Mr Wittv : Are you going to take the last shilling? iMr Massev : Certainly.