TOTAL CONSCRIPTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24951, 25 June 1942, Page 4

TOTAL CONSCRIPTION

NEEDS OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY

EQUAL BASIS OF SACRIFICE (P.A.) AUCKLAND. June 24. " The regimentation of man-power is essential, and we shall get nowhere until we have a national policy," said the Mayor of Pukekoha (Mr M. R. Grierson) at a conference of farmers and local body members over which Mr J. N. Massey, M.P., presided. "If the policy is primary production," he added, "we must keep men on the land without their having to go through the humiliating experience of appealing. It is absolutely sinful to send men into camp at 7s a day while others are left to exploit the rest of the community. We must have total conscription of man-power, with everyone on the same sacrificial basis, and everyone must go where he is put"—(Applause.) Speakers gave examples of the falling off in herds for want of attention. The conference resolved, on the motion of Mr R. C. Clark, chairman of the Primary Production Council, that Mr Massey should report to the Prime Minister on the conditions prevailing; that the conference should ask the War Cabinet if it sees fit to make a clear pronouncement on farm production; and that all ballotted agricultural workers should be thoroughly examined by direction of the Director of National Service. ' REQUEST BY DAIRYMEN CLEAR STATEMENT WANTED (PA.) WELLINGTON, June 24. The National Dairy Federation discussed the farm labour shortage and appointed a committee consisting of Mr A. Morton, chairman of the conference, and Messrs Sinclair and Begley to wait on the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, without delay and ask for a Government pronouncement on the subject. During the discussion speakers said that dairy herds were being sold up on account of men being called up for the army. Mr W. Marshall said they should make it clear that they we're not asking that people should not make a full contribution to. the fighting forces. The matter had been before the War Council. Fresh instructions had been given to the man-power committees, and some improvement could be expected. If the Government wanted production maintained it must take some steps to help.