POSITION OF FARM LABOUR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 7 December 1940, Page 2

POSITION OF FARM LABOUR

IN RELATION TO MILITARY SERVICE PROBLEM OF MAINTAINING PRODUCTION [United Press Association] DUNEDIN, 6th October. After a prolonged and at times heated discussion of the position of farm labour in relation to territorial and overseas military service and the operations of the Otago Manpower Committee. which is now considering appeals in connection with men called up in the ballot for territorial training, a meeting in Dunedin of the Otago Primary Production Council carried the following resolution:— “This council is emphatically of the opinion that, if production is to be kept up, compulsory training camps for farm labour must be held during the winter months instead of during the height of the season, when skilled labour is urgently needed. This council is not opposed to compulsory training, but it is obvious that farmers cannot increase or maintain production if their skilled labour is to be taken away from them in the height of the season. These skilled workers cannot be replaced by unskilled married workers even if available, as farm labour takes years to train and this cannot be done during rush periods of the year.” All present were unanimous that farming should not be a sheltered occupation and that farmers’ sons, or labourers should play their part in the Empire’s defence, but it was felt that it was absurd to ask on the one hand that primary production councils, farmers’ unions and other bodies should press for increased primary production and on the other hand call into camp at the very busiest time of the year men who were responsible for maintaining or increasing production.