MANPOWER AND FARMING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23993, 17 June 1941, Page 9

MANPOWER AND FARMING

Sir, —Your editorial statement that the manpower and woman power of New Zealand should bo better organised will probably be endorsed by a huge majority. No doubt a vast improvement could be made in every industry. The only industry of which I have considerable knowledge and experience is that of fanning, and I am certain that many young men could bo taken from the farms for the armed forces without retarding the production of butter and cheese. When conscription was introduced we were told there would be no reserved occupations, yet there aro large numbers ,of fit single men on farms, and married men aro to bo called up. During the slump many more women milked cows than is the case to-day. Yet then all that was at stake was to save the farm from the mortgagee—now it is to save ourselves from slavery and our children from untold misery. Most dairy farmers advertised for youths, and even boys leaving school, before the war. Now those seeking exemption imply that milking cows is highly specialised work. If our war effort is really to be "all in" there is n great deal that should be done to release young single men from farms before married men are conscripted. There are probably many in other industries, too, who could be replaced by married men. Country Cousin.