LABOUR FOR THE HARVEST

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22064, 10 September 1941, Page 4

LABOUR FOR THE HARVEST

Important In War Effort SUGGESTIONS MADE

Suggestions for the recruiting of labour from the towns to assist in harvest operations have been drafted by the District Council of Primary Production and forwarded to the National Council. The meeting urged that if public appeals were made through the radio and the newspapers emphasising the necessity of the work and its importance in the war effort a greater response would be received. Members mentioned cases where townspeople had freely offered their services for the last harvest.

The suggestions made by the Council are as follows:

“(a) An appeal should be made to the businessmen of the towns, borough and county councils to release as many fit men as possible for harvest work. If necessary only very essential borough and county council work should be maintained. Public Works men also should be released for the harvest.

(b) An appeal be made for assistance to the women of the country in the homes during the harvest operations.

(c) School holidays be arranged to coincide with the harvest with the object of giving teachers and pupils alike an opportunity of responding to this appeal for National Service on the farms.

(d) Local Primary Production councils be asked to assist the appeal by making contact with businessmen and county and borough councils In each district and impressing on them the importace of this work. (e) In connection with the employment of youths under 14 years of age, that provision be made to accept youths of 12 years and over under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act. (f) That an early start be made with the publicity towards this end, and that special emphasis should be made of the importance of harvest work as a National War Effort. (g) That the Local Placement Officers be instructed to organise the distribution of the labour so made available.”