TO HELP THE EMPIRE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 944, 19 February 1917, Page 8

TO HELP THE EMPIRE.

SUPERVISION OF FARMS. Al the A. & P. meeting, held in Ashburton on Saturday, the chairman (Mr J. Bruce) brought to notice the matter of providing supervision over the holdings of young fanners who were at the front or who intended going. It was not fair if fanners had to sacrifice their holdings unnecessarily, when retired farmers could do Hie work of supervision, and he knew of many cases where farmers were managing two or even three properties which belonged to soldiers. A committee, if set up, might go into the matter fully and bring up a report for next meeting. Mr D. G. Wright fully agreed with the chairman. It was really the Government's work to attend to these farms, but the association would assist the Government in attaining the desired object. If some body supervised a farm while its owner was away, a soldier would be gained, and the country's production would not fall.

Messrs C. Beid, Wright, and \Y. Oakley, together with the president and vice-president, were appointed to report on the matter. The chairman stated that he would be pleased to receive any suggestions.

Besides touching the "farm supervision" question, the association also discussed the question of exempting those necessary to carry on the essential industries of the country. Mr Frampton moved in this direction and sai.l he did so from patriotic motives. He considered that production was of primary importance in New Zealand. The Appeal Boards said that farmers could afford to pay managers, but it was workers, not managers, that were needed, and it was the workers that were ditlicult to get. He knew of farms that were shut up and lying idle, and a position of that sort, although a soldier was gained, was of no value to New Zealand or the Empire. Mr J. Shearer seconded.

Mr Wright considered that il would not be wise if il went forth thai farmers wanted exemption, but the fact remained that amateurs and youths were of no use on farms or stations. He quoted cases where sheep had not been mustered last season owing to lack of shepherds, and consequently they were not shorn.

The president disagreed willi Hie motion. The Government authorities must know more of the country's affairs than the association did, and he stated very positively that "single young farmers should go." The motion was carried by 15 votes to .").