FARM SUPERVISION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4557, 8 April 1942, Page 2

FARM SUPERVISION

MEN IN THE FORCES MR A. P. ROBINSON’S SCHEME In an effort to lessen thp hardship of farmers who are called up for the defence of this country, and to shoulder some of their worries in order that they may leave their farm to take up their rifle in a more easy frame of mind, Mr A. P. Robinson, of Rdto-b-rangi, brought details of his scheme before the Cambridge ’branch of the Farmers’ Union at its annual meeting on Friday. Mr Robinson suggested co-opera-tion by men not liable for military service to put into effect a method of supervision which would carry ou£ to some extent the things which the farmer would like done if he had remained behind himself. CO-OPERATION NEEDED The objects of the scheme are: — A survey of the plant and equipment of the district, together with available manpower in oi’der that in emergencies, such as earthquake, flood, invasion, or other national disaster those who are left behind would be in a position to co-operate in carrying on, as well as possible, the work of all the farmers in the district. This co-ordination would be of assistance where a farmer meets with an accident and has no one to look after his sheep, milk his cows, or do the essential farm work which cannot wait until some person is employed to do this work. To supervise the farming. operations of men who have been called up and are away from their farms on military duties. It would be possible for farmers to leave control of all their affairs in the hands of the organisation and if they wished, make it their executor or trustee to look after the interests of dependants in the event of death. To assist and advise our men on their return to civil life on any of the many aspects of farming, for it is assumed that a large number of our boys will be taking up farming as a career when hostilities are over. Mr Robinson urged that the Farmers’ Union should take this matter in hand in the various districts. He pointed out that, with the widespread influence of the Farmers’ Union behind it, this scheme, and the various district committees administering it, would be in a much more powerful position to assist our soldiers than they would be as small individual units without any cooperation. QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY Mr Robinson pointed out how essential it was to have this work

done by a separate organisation, even though it be under the patronage of the Farriers’ Union. This essential, he said, is apparent when it was realised that the time may come when some farmer, who has left his affairs to be handled by one of these district committees, feels that they have neglected their work, and he claims damages for negligence. If a number of claims of this nature were made on the Farmers’ Union, which is comparatively strong financially, the effect may be that the accumulated funds of the union would be used either in fighting or meeting these claims. Where, however, a distinct society has been given control of a farm, the owner, if aggrieved, can claim only from his appointed supervisors, that is a distinct local committee, with the status of an incorporated society. As a local committee would have practically no funds, a claim against it would do no harm, and certainly would do no financial good to the claimant. PERMANENT ADVISORY TRUSTEES ’ In regard to supervision of farms while the owners are away, he pointed out, it is essential that the advisory trustees be permanent, and not subject to annual election as would be the other officers of the organisation. Mr Robinson is a believer in real co-operation, and considers, quite rightly, that the men left behind should carry on the work of the more active men who are away on the defence of the country, or otherwise incapacitated. Mr Robinson explained the scheme at the annual meeting, of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association at Hamilton on Thursday. He said application had been made to have the organisation incorporated in order to limit the liability of members. The association decided to commend the scheme to its members and to give it every support.