REHABILITATION

Putaruru Press, Volume XVII, Issue 1038, 24 June 1943, Page 3

REHABILITATION

BOARD AND COMMITTEES Discussion By Farmers j ‘ ' . -—- I The question of representation on Slocal committees to be formed under {'the direction of the Rehabilitation i. Board was discussed a t the monthly i. meeting, of the Auckland Prov'ncial. Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on 16th June v A circular from the Dominion secretary of the Union stated that the .Rehabilitation Board had established '23 committees which were operating in the larger centres. It had been” decided also to appoint additional committees in a large number vof smaller towns, a list of which | was enclosed. Provision had been made for the appointment of only one I representative on each committee of t business or farming interests accordi ing to the type of district. It was i suggested that the executive make 'contact with branches of the Union in order to facilitate the nomination lof representatives to act on these ad--1 ditional committees, such nominations to be forwarded 'through • local ■members of Parliament. It was stated that it should be the function of the committees to advise the Board on various matters, including employment, training and study for civilian occupations, land [settlement, housing and financial assistance in the purchase of land, stock, implements, tools, furniture j, businesses. The Board would I’advise the committees from time to ijtime of its 'general policy and decisions on rehabilitation matters The of committees would be Government officers appointed by the -Board. It was suggested that *.he executive should nominate a farming representative for each committee within the provincial area. The Dominion executive would continue to press for the independent representation of farmers on the committees. The president (Captain H MRushworth) said they should decide ‘whether the Union was willing to have a minority representation on these committees. Mr J. H Fuimiss (vice-president) moved: “The Farmers’ Union will gladly - nominate members for Reihabilitation Committees as soon as the Government enunciates a political, economic and industrial policy which will assure a livelihood to those on the land comparable with that of other sections of the community rendering equal service. Apart from this service, the Farmers’ Union will give to those settled on the land all the assistance in its power.” He said it would be useless to quarrel as to whether they were go- , Ing to have - one or two representa- * tives the committees. If farmers’ | conditions were coming to such a ; pass that they could not make a decent living it would be only an act bf treachery to induce soldiers to enter a calling that was now regarded as unremunerative, and which must .be changed very drastically if they were to live at all. The function of the committee would be only to administer the policy of the Government If they had the whole committees to themselves it would not alter the position greatly if the Governent’s policy proved to be unsatisfactory. If they asked for more members the Government would be able to say: “You are so satisfied that you ask for increased representation.” The president referred to a statement in Parliament by the Hon. F. Langstone (ex-Minister of Lands) that he doubted whether more than 6000 soldiers could be put on the land. Mr A Briscoe Moore (Pipiwai) said it might be found that thousands of men, for whom no provision was made, would want to go on the’ land. Mr Heath Mason (Te Kuiti): If the statements as to the deplorable condition of agriculture in Europe are correct there will be a tremendous demand for all foodstuffs for iibout three years. Mr N J. B. Dougherty (Ohura): We should protect returned soldiers to the fullest degree. The motion was lost by 7 to 6. Mr A. Briscoe Moore moved a motion which was carried: “The Farmers’ Union will he glad to appoint representatives to rehabilitation committees on the distinct understanding that they can take no responsibility for the successful rehabilitation of men on the land, except under the condition set out in the Union’s statement of policy made in May, 1943.” (This statement defined conditions for economic farming).