REPLACING MEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25180, 18 April 1945, Page 6

REPLACING MEN

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION POLICY TO BE CONTINUED (p.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday . Should New Zealand make the provision of more food for Britain its major war contribution, but not send any more men away? This was the question put to a conference of National War Savings delegates today by the Minister of Finance. Mr Nash, who then made important statements in giving the answer. One of the most, crucial spots in the present conflict, said Mr Nash, was Italy, and one of the questions New Zealand must resolve early was in relation to Italy. In that country were 24 of the best German divisions, and there was evidence that they included three of .the super divisions—men like those at Cassino, men who only gave up when they died. "The question is," the Minister continued. "whether we should pull out now. i don't think so. We have decided that we could not send any more reinforcements without an ill-effect on our economy, but we have agreed with General Sir Bernard Freyberg that we will send replacements for the men sent back. We have agreed that our men who have served three years overseas shall coine back 1 home, and that the men who do come back shall -be replaced. We will replace them, man for man. We cannot afford to let our own men down, or pull-out before the end of the conflict." Mr Nash pointed but that -if the division was allowed to dwindle down in numbers it would.become ineffective. Therefore the War Cabinet had agreed to complete the replacement policy until the war was over. CRITICISM OF POLICY NEED FOR FARM WORKERS (0.c.) TAURANGA, Tuesday The view that the position on the home front was one of considerable confusion and that the Government's manpower policy was hopelessly out of date was expressed by the president, Mr It, W. Strugnell, in his report to the annual conference of the.Bay of Plenty sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union in Tauranga. "The farming community has been working ail out for six years and in the present season has made a wonderful effort, as a result of which the increase of 10,000 tons of butter-fat asked for will assuredly be forthcoming,", said Mr Strugnell. "For the next season a further big increase is required. The Minister of Manpower is calling'up all grade A men held on appeal. These men. by reason of their age and strength, constitute the most valuable farm workers and their loss to the industry must result in a drop in production. "This view has been impressed on the Minister by primary production councils from all oyer New Zealand. The reply is that it is hoped to replace these workers with men returning from the Middle East. When the men will be available and whether they are willing to go on farms is not stated. "Farmers are keenly alive to the necessity for the greatest possible production, but they also realise that there are limits to what can be done. A common-sense approach to the question is needed."