LABOUR FOR FARMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24817, 17 January 1942, Page 6

LABOUR FOR FARMS

HARVESTING REQUIREMENTS RELEASE FROM CAMPS i PROCEDURE OUTLINED IP.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 16. Farmers with farm workers affected by the recent mobilisation orders, who are urgently required for the harvesting of essential crops and who are not replaceable by other labour, may apply at once to the local Man-power Committee _for the temporary release of these men. This announcement was made tonight by the Minister of National Service. Mr R. Semple, who sard that while defence was, of course, the main consideration, the Government was anxious that both harvesting ana planting should be facilitated as much as the military situation permitted. He said that farmers making such applications should state as nearly as possble the date and duration of the release desired, the full name of the worker, his military rank and the name of the unit to which he was attached Provided the application was supported where necesary by the local Primary .Production Council and the State Placement Officer had no other labour available for the purpose, the Man-power Committee could secure temporary leave of absence from military duties for the worker concerned. The Minister added that in regard to planting operations recent developments in the Pacific had made it more' necessary than ever that an adequate acreage of all essential crops should be planted. If necessary and provided the military situation permitted, the Government would consider a similar release of men for planting purposes. LABOUR AND PETROL FARMERS CONCERNED (P.A.I ASHBURTON, Jan. 16. The Works Committee of the , Ashburton County Council to-day expressed .'considerable concern at the difficulties confronting primary producers. not only in harvesting the present crop, but also arranging for next season’s work, as a result of the calling up of men for service. Unless labour wefe made available and supplies of motor spirits for farm machinery provided, it was states, it would be impossible to carry on. The committee decided to invite the Minister of Agriculture, Mr J. G. Barclay, and the Minister of National Service, Mr R. Semple, to meet representatives of the various local organisations in Canterbury to discuss the problem. Mr Barclay, in a telephone conversation, pointed out that a committee was working on the problem, and representatives of the Government would visit Ashburton.