PLEA TO STOP RACING

Southland Times, Issue 24681, 28 February 1942, Page 6

PLEA TO STOP RACING

Farmers Review War Situation (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. A unanimous decision to request the Government to terminate racing activities forthwith was reached by the Dominion executive of the Farmers’ Union at the quarterly meeting yesterday. It followed consideration of the war position in general and the relation to it of the farming community in particular. Strong opinions were individually expressed about the need to get down to a war footing. Every possible ounce should be put into the war effort and things of a luxury nature should be the first to go. Racing, it was contended, was in that category. Complaints were received of serious delays on farms by racing interfering with work to the national detriment. Agreeing that, in view of Mr Churchill’s speech about the gravity of the situation, the whole question of meat arrangements should be reviewed, the executive felt that the Dominion, in the present circumstances, could have no consideration whatever for its own convenience and that steps should be taken immediately to see that the meat sent to Britain was of a class which gave the greatest possible amount of nutrition in the smallest cargo space. The views of the United Kingdom Ministry of Food should be obtained without delay. The question of how best the national morale and the war effort could be strengthened was discussed, and it was agreed that failing what was considered the best method of uniting the country—a truly national government—a strengthened War Cabinet with wider powers, including control of all phases of activities impinging on the war effort, should be set up. The executive was of the opinion that this strengthening should be done by the introduction to the War Cabinet of men of proved energy and administrative ability irrespective of political considerations and if necessary from outside politics.