FARMER RESERVISTS

Northland Age, Volume 14, Issue 33, 26 April 1917, Page 7

FARMER RESERVISTS

DON'T SELL OUT. CONSULT THE EFFICIENCY BOARD”

THEfollowing statement has been issued by the Chairman of the Recruiting Board, Sir James Allen :—• My attention has been drawn to the fact that in many parls of the Dominion farmer reservists who have been called up for service are not taking steps to have their farms carried on, and are not representing to the Military Service Board the difficulties with which they are confronted. It has been reported to me that some farmer resefvists are not appealing for exemption, but are selling off their stock and shutting up their properties, because they feel that any other course may reflect upon their patriotism and loyalty. I fully appreciate the spirit which prompts them to take this course, but do not think it is one that is in the best interests of the Empire. It seems to me a national necessity, at the present time to keep all farms going at their nor-malstock-carrying and grain-pro-ducing capacity, in order to maintain the Dominion’s output of foodstuffs. Indeed, it is essential in my opinion, that sufficient wheat should be grown in New Zealand during the next season for the year’s consumption. I therefore urge every fttrnier reservist who is called up by ballot, and who is unable to make satisfactory arrangements for the carrying on of his farm, either to bring his case before the Military Service Board on appeal, or at once to approach the National Efficiency Board for advice and assistance. In fact it is not necessary for any farmer reservist to wait until he is called up by ballot before consulting the National Efficiency Board, as the latter proposes to deal with the cases of farmers called up, or who are likely to be called up for service, and I can assure reservists that they need have no hesitation in seeking its help.