PRIMARY PRODUCTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3280, 24 January 1917, Page 27

PRIMARY PRODUCTS

i ORGANISATION BY GOVERNS KNT COMMENDED. At a meeting of the council of the Ch»;n« ber of Commerce on the 22nd inst. Mr T. Somervillo presented two very ! important resolutions dealing with tho i organisation of tho man power of the doI minion and its utilisation to the best ad« ! vantage. The resolutions read: 1. "Tho Council of the Dunedin Chambur of Commerce, having had presented to it convincing evidence of the danger that exists, owing to scarcity of labour, of a serious failing-off in the primary products of the dominion, desires to express its .satisfaction in tho knowledge that tho Government has this question inkier its scrioua consideration. The council is satisfied that in this portion of the dominion there is i urgent need for remedial measures being adopted, and will do whatever in its powe> lies to assist the Government in its endeavours to keep the dominion's priinojrjj products up to tho full productive poweß of the land, and the council trusts that thai Government will speedily bring into opera* tion the proposals it has in view." 2. " Tho council of tho chamber, having 1 had under consideration tiio continued retirement of civil servants on superannuation at a t.nie when tho dominion requires all tho administrative and working power of the public service, respectfully suggest? to the Government that it would be a wise thing to cease to r tu'e men who are still lit for service, and lurther, that in cases where it is in the interests of tho dominion to temporarily re-oinploy civil servants who have been retired on superannuation, tho council expresses the opinion that such course should bo adopted." In moving the resolutions, Mr Somervillo said that since tho last meeting of rue chamber tho Government had taken in hand thai important matter of the cons, rvation of man-power. There were very many aspects! | to be considered in connection with tha i position, and he thought the council shouldj I view the question not only from the point | of the primary products, bra also from that j of what ho might term the non-essential I industries. There could be no doubt thora I was a shortage of labour, and he was convinced that that shortage was not fully appreciated; neither would they disagree witl) him that the shortage w uld become mora acute us time went on. Ho was sure that tho chamber was on sound lines if it en« deavoured to overcome the difficulties in tho labour market, which were at present confronting them! The difficulties with which the country was faced were on an increasing scale. Void they could only be met by, more production of tho primary commodities, spending less, and lending their savings to the Government. It appeared to hiitt that the Government had a very live duty to perform in regard to the primary products, it was tho duty of the farming community not only to maintain the amount of the primary products, but to increase! them. It was satisfactory to know_ that the Government had realised its duty in tha organisation of the labour required for tho primary products, and it appeared to him that that duty should ho proceeded with at once. It had been stated to Siim liiat the nocks of the dominion 'Acre being depleted. If that were so, then the Government should appeal to the farmers —should instruct them, in fact—thai they should try to either mako up this decrease—that was, if ids information was correct,—or el.se place a greatej area under wheat and other cereal crops. There was also a duty placed upon our public bodies—the city and suburban e.oun» ci!s and the county councils -not to ven* ture on new works nor absolutely necessary. If local bodice could see their way to do this they would conserve their nuances. Ho believed that not only our own City Council, but other councils, were beginning to feel the financial pinch. Dealing with the operations of the councils, tho speaker pointed out that the city reserves could bo for tho cultivation of vegetables, 'etc.. for which the city would find a ready if not in Dunedin, at any rare in the camps at Trenfham, — and tho result.-, would bo of far-reaching effect. The pei pie, too, with small plots of ground could assist the great economic movement by planting vegetables. Dealing with the question of the non-essen-tial industries, the speaker said that they could not expect the Government to assist them—the employer must make his own arrangements for labour after_ the Government had been freely supplied with tha labour it roquin d. Consequently the employers must also organise in the endeavour to secure as much relief as they possibly could. He understood that there was quita a number of women who were already boing employed, with varying success. Ha had never heard they had not proved a suecess; but, on the other hand, lie had heard that in some eases in Dunedin they had proved a very great success indeed. JTc believed if the matter were placed before tha women in its proper aspect they would readily respond arid help them to maintain their "manufactures. He was sure that in j six months' time the present labour shortago would be very much accentuated, and would b<? felt by all. There would be no in ces.-itv for anybody to say that tie or .-.lie could not secure work. The speaker concluded by saying that the subject ho had introduced was a very wide one audi full of great difficulties. He did not think; it was an easy thing to organise labour

for the production of tho primary products or for the non-essential trades, but he was sure they would ail agree with him that there was an urgent necessity for its sericus consideration. Mr J. B. Shacklock seconded the motion, and .aft t a general discussion, it was carried unanimously. A copy ot the resolutions is to bo forwarded to the Acting Prime Minister.