CROPS IN DANGER

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 10

CROPS IN DANGER

MEN GOING TO CAMP EXTRA TRAINING PERIOD CONCERN IN CANTERBURY [BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION"] C H RISTCIIURC H. Wed nest] a y The effect 011 the harvest of the calling up of all territorials for an additional two months early in the new year \vas discussed by the North Canterbury district executive of the Farmers' Union to-day. .Members expressed the gravest concern about the fate of the harvest if men were taken at the intended time, and spoke of crops being left to rot or to be destroyed by the north-westerly winds. After a long discussion, in which it was emphasised that the problem was a national one, although the farmers affected were chiefly in Canterbury, it was decided to seek relief through the Dominion president of the union, Mr. W. W. Mulhollnnd, who is a member of the War Council. "We understand that when the three months are up those men have got to stay on another two months, and that all those who have already done their three months will have to go into training for another two months," said the chairman, Mr. R. G. Bishop. "This is going to affect the harvest very seriously and will mean that very little will be sown in the coming season. I think we should try to point out the necessity of having labour free to get the harvest in. The ranks of the workers have been greatly depleted bv calls for overseas service. We realise that these are very critical times, but we feel that the matter of supplying the country's foodstuffs is very vital. "The country is cut off from overseas supplies. In oilier countries, in England and, I believe, in Germany, too, labour is released from the army to harvest crops. 1 think that if those countries, right, in the war zone, can do it. New Zealand can do it. The military authorities have a plan to carry out, but they are not practical farmers. We hope there will he coordination of military training and production." The meeting then went into committee to hear a statement by Mr. G. C. Warren. "The crux of the whole matter is that we do not want anything to happen that would make the farmers say they cannot produce," said Mr. A. M. Carpenter.