The Sun WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1917. FARMERS OR SOLDIERS?

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 964, 14 March 1917, Page 6

The Sun WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1917. FARMERS OR SOLDIERS?

The Minister of Defence has issued a statement in respect of farmer reservists which raises several important questions connected with the Dominion's output of foodstuffs and the supply of fighting men. It is common knowledge that a not inconsiderable number of practical farmers called up by ballot have simply closed up their farms and conceiving it to be their duty, have gone into camp without calling on the Military Service Board en route. It is also common knowledge that the prospects of the Dominion giving sufficient wheat for home consumption are, to say the least of it, unpromising, and that, if substitute practical labour is not obtainable very soon, this country's productive capacity, on which Britain relies so much, will be seriously curtailed. The Minister of Defence, genuinely anxious that our output of foodstuffs should be maintained, urges farmers of military age and otherwise eligible for service, to arrange with the National Efficiency Board for the carrying-on of their properties before taking the extreme step of selling off their stock and shutting up their holdings. The shortage of experl farm labour tends to accentuate the seriousness of the position. Every acre which, because of the operations of the Military Service Act, becomes idle, means so much' less wheat next year or so much less meat or wool for the Imperial authorities. We appreciate Mr Allen's anxiety to have the quotas filled without interfering with the supply of our essential products. The problem is now engaging the attention of the National Efficiency Board, whose efforts are receiving encouraging, helpful support practically everywhere. There appears to be a genuine desire on the part of tiie community to do all in its power to enable the board and the Government to so adjust matters that primary production shall not be substantially restricted because of the ntK-d for reinforcements. But a doubt has arisen in many minds as to whether the Government is going the right way about it, and we think that the point is worth examination. For instance, is it a wise policy to turn a successful farmer into a soldier and then take the chance of finding a substitute able and willing to do the work of that farmer? It has been truly said that, in most cases, no man can work a farm like the owner, but under present conditions farmer reservists are called up for service while the National Efficiency Board scours the country

for ineligibles to take their place. Thus, for the sake of obtaining one more fighting man, the Government is putting itself to the worry—and it is a real worry—of unearthing somebody not wanted at the front, who is capable of keeping a farm in full profit. Would it not be infinitely less trouble and more logical for the Government to exempt the expert farmer of military agein the first place, thus doing away with Ihe difficulty (and expense, in many cases) of running his farm in his absence? Personally, we quite fail to see the wisdom of the existing policy, which (ends only to aggravate an already intricate problem. ft seems to us that the Government will soon have to decide as to whether the farmers are more valuable to the great cause as farmers or as soldiers. The Minister of Defence states that it is "a national necessity at the present lime to keep all farms going at their normal stock-carrying and grain-producing capacity." flow can that ideal be attained if some of our leading primary producers have to leave their holdings to the care of others who cannot possibly possess the energy and intimate knowledge of the original owners? When the supply of retired farmers or trustees available as managers is exhausted, is it proposed to turn town labour loose on large and mixed farms during the absence of their owners? If the supply of foodstuffs is to be maintained, why send one producer out of the Dominion? This question and others equally urgent indicate that we are approaching a time in this country when it is very necessary that all our leaders should be on deck. The Government's ditliculties are bound to increase rather than diminish as the war drags on, and for this reason Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward should not stay away a day longer than is absolutely necessary.