MANPOWER PROBLEMS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4529, 28 January 1942, Page 5

MANPOWER PROBLEMS

SITTING OF COMMITTEE TE AWAMUTU APPEALS A sitting of the District Man-power Committee is being held in Te Awamutu to-day, Mr S. C. B. Macky presiding and having associated with him Mr R. P. Smith and Mr A. Hayward. Charles Dixon Adams, share-milker, of Te Pahu, appealed for his son, Dixon Adams (junior), called l3r Territorial Service. He was sharemilking for Maurice Denis O’Connor, who had a property of 194 acres on which he milked 100 cows, producing 30,000 lb butter-fat and £4OO worth of pigs. Mr O’Connor was in ill-health and did no work, which was performed by himself and two sons. He (appellant) was over 70 years of age, and suffered ill-health. To Mr Smith, he had one boy on active service, one had been turned down, and was working in a cheese factory, and a married son with a family of four was a baker at Palmerston North. The boys were in the Home Guard, and were attending the parades regularly. He had been on the farm— The appeal was adjourned sine die, the chairman stating that it would be reviewed before, the end of the milking season. Francis Quin appealed for Patrick Keenan Quin, called for Territorial service. He and his wife owned a total of 450 acres, carrying two dairy herds of 100 cows each, 40 heifers, 38 calves, 15 horses, and six bulls. Patrick Quin was in charge of one herd, and had been so for the past twenty years. Francis Quin (junior), who managed the other herd, had been r._, jected medically unfit. Patrick Quin had the assistance of a boy in milking 105 cows, but the boy had now given notice. Francis Quin had a married man and a boy to assist him. One other son recently underwent a serious operation, and the other son was a doctor. Appellant was short of labour. The late Mr Melrose had helped, also Mr W. J. Craik for a whole week. The boy already employed, had now given notice. , Mr Smith: Have you thought of putting a family of share-milkers on next season ? Mr Quin; Where are you going to get them ? Mr Smith suggested it was a matter Mr Preston should discuss with his client. The Committee aimed at getting at least one man from a family. Mr Quin said the boys had been passed for Territorial service only. Mr Smith said that the defence of New Zealand was highly important at the present time, so Territorial service was essential. Mr Quin said the eldest boy could do no work at present owing to an injury to the fingers, which were useless. The Committee decided to adjourn the appeal sine die, the appellant in the meantime to look into the matter of securing a share-milker, and the matter to be reviewed about May. Eric Mackintosh Collie, 19 years of age, appealed against service with the Territorials. He owned 192 acres in Te Rau-a-Moa, having purchased the land in December, 1939. He was carrying 550 sheep and 30 springing heifers which he intqjdSd to milk next season. To Mr Smith: He was a member of the Home Guard, but it had infrequent parades. There were about 13 members. He admitted not training much. The Chairman: You are in a Vital Guards’ place at Te Rau-a-Moa, and should have a good Home Guard there. A sine die adjournment was granted, the Committee undertaking to look into the matter of appellant having propter Home Guard training. He would have to do his bit. Herbert Barr appealed on his own behalf. He had a dairy farm of 116 acres at Korakonui On which he milked 90 cows. He also had a farm at Ngahape on which he ran 240 ewes. At Korakonui he employed sharemilkers. He himself lived at Korakonui, but worked most of the time on the Ngahape property. It was impossible for him to get satisfactory labour. His share-milker was helped by two sons, 16 and 18 years of age respectively. Last year his butter-fat return was 26,445 lb. The appeal was adjourned sine die, appellant to join the Home Guard and attend parades regularly. James Kerin appealed for John Joseph Kerin. The appellant said he farmed 96i acres at Paterangi, and milked 80 cows. The only assistants w’ere two sons, one (21 years of age) rejected as medically unfit permanently, and the said John Kerin, 19 years. He (appellant) was not an experienced farmer, but did everything possible. He could not obtain other labour. To the Chairman: The boy was in the Home Guard, and had never missed a parade. The appeal was adjourned sine die, the boy to remain in the Home Guard. Jeremiah O’Leary appealed for Charles Ernest Rye. Appellant said he farmed 90 acres at Ngahinepouri, on which he milked 60 cows, producing 15,000 lb butter-fat and £2OO worth of pigs. He himself was a pig buyer, this being a full-time job. His farm work was done by the recruit and his wife. He was unable to return to the farm himself on account '-XThe appeal was adjourned sine die, the appellant to produce a new doctor’s certificate when the case is reviewed.

Mary Rose Haliburton appealed for Bruce Kinrose Haliburton. Appellant owned 132 acres at Pokuru, on which were milked 62 cows. The son was the only one working on the farm, a daughter being employed in a munition factory in Auckland. An adjournment sine die was granted, appellant to join the Home Guard. (Proceeding.)