WAR MATTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12070, 27 July 1917, Page 3

WAR MATTERS.

KCSCUSSED BY FARRIERS, At tho Farmers' Union Conference on Wednesday Mr G. L. Marshall (Marton) moved:—"That the conference, in realising that the prosperity of the country depends upon the maintenance of production, is strongly of opinion that the policy of the Military Appeal Boards should be to exempt, if possible, genuine ploughmen and shepherds until tho grain-sowing and lambing season is over, it being impossible for one man even on a small farm to work a team and attend, to the ewe flock." He reminded the conference that the remit was passed by the Wellington Provincial Conference iu May, and he was glad to say that the boards were carrying out the suggestion. Ho hoped that nothing would ho suggested that would interfere in any way with the calling up of the Reinforcements, and that would not occur if postponements merely until the end of October wero allowed. Mr John M'Queen (Southland) said it appeared to him that it would be more important to send Homo mon rather than food. "We are over-pro-ducing now," he said. ''Look at our accumulated produce ! Why, wo have taken a bigger bite than we can chew." Ho criticised tho policy of retaining shearers, and said that schoolboys could bo trained to shear. The shearing season could easily bo extended. Again, if slaughtermen were taken, the position would not bo nearly as serious as imagined. Mr W. A. Cox (Southland) agreed with Mr M'Queen. The cry was for men, and there was little doubt that production would continue. Mr Duxfield said that the feeding of men was just as essentifd as tho sending of men. Ho felt quite satisfied that before long tho shipping difficulty wonld be overcome, and ho felt satisfied that'the Government would bo taking a wise step if it left one man on each farm.

Mr W. J. Birch (Marton) stated that tho need for men was paramount. Every sacrifice- should bo made to recompense those who had gone to the front, but they should consider deeply before, they did anything that was likely to cripple tho supply of menMr Keegan said they wore all prepared to go to the front if necessary, hut he complained of the fact that there wero many young men, not engaged in essential producing industries, who wove remaining behind. No essential man should be sent out of the country while a man engaged in unessential work was left in it.

Mr A. Robinson (Wanganui) a.sked what was the use of the. National Efficiency Board if it could not deal with tho position. He was satisfied that all tlie farms could hj? properly looked after. "If every able-bodied man was taken," he said, "I don't think our productivity would he greatly interfered with." Mr D. Jones (North Canterbury) said one man was just as patriotic as another, but the only question was as to tho best way of winning the war. Production had to bo maintained. Mr J. Boddie (Auckland) said he was most anxious that it should not go out to the public that the farmers were not prepared to make every sacrifice necessary, but it was a moot point as to whether New Zealand was not doing more than should be expected of her.

A DRASTIC REMIT. Mr Marshall's remit was carried unanimously, and the conference proceeded to deal with a moro drastic suggestion from Marlborough. Mr H. I>. Vavasour moved as follows:—''That this conference is of opinion that the agricultural and pastoral labour having already been depleted by one-half, that it is essential for these industries, both in the interests of the Empiro and <:f the Dominion, that no more labour from them should be conscripted." Mr Vavasour said bo would not urge that Now Zealand should stop sending men. Farmers were the most patriotic of men, but they were hysterically so, and allowed it to interfere with their judgment- It was impossible for tho farmers to maintain production if the bulk of labour was taken. The Government was very much to blame because it had not organised labour. It should have been done at the outset of tho war. He asked that the Government should not take another man from off the land. He was satisfied that the next harvest would show a tremendous shortage in cereals. There would be a danger that we would not be able to feed ourselves if thf depletion went on at the present rate, and we would have to go to other countries for supplies, and there would be a tremendous upheaval in the economic conditions. Mr A. Eraser (Otago) seconded tho remit, and said, in doing so:—"Wo cannot pass too many of these remits." New Zealand, he said, had done very well—it had done wonders—and now that America had stepped in tho war could bo won without us.

Mr P. Keegan moved as an amendment, that tho remit should read : "That no moro essential labour bo conscripted."

Mr J. Anderson (Pelorus) opposed the motion, as ho did not believe that any farmer in New Zealand desired special treatment. It was not. for them to say when they should call a halt. That was for the Imperial authorities to do. ft would be very deplorable if it went forth that the farmers wanted distinct treatment.

Mr John M'Queen reminded the conferences of Iho fact that farmers were among the first to favour conscription. The motion should l)e rejected and tho responsibility left with the National Government. If the motion was passed it would he a justifiable taunt if the public drew attention to the way produce was piling up. Mr .) Hiteheni'i (Timarn) also urged the rejection of the motion. Mr A. Robinson (Wanganui) sakl he would vote against the remit. Who was to decide who was essential? Tt would come back to the Military Service Hoards, where it was now. The cry at the beginning of the war was: "Business as usual, - ' hut it had to be dropped very soon Xow, it .seemed, an endeavour was being made to resuscitate it.

Mr Keegan suggested rtn addition to the remit as follow s : ' Fntil nil nonessential workers are railed up *'

Mr Vavasom accepted the proposed amendment, hut. conference would not agree, to the addition.

Messrs .1 Ta!bor, and G. L. Marshall urged that the remit should he withdrawn. Mr Marshall said the public, would say that the fanners favoured conscription until it began to touch their pockets. Mr K Maxwell (Onunake) asserted that the farmers were not asking for special treatment, but were looking to the interests of the country.

Mr Cox opposed the motion, and drew attention to the fact that despite, the number of men who had gone production had increased. Mr Vavasour, when appealed to by several speakers, stated that, on principle, he could not withdraw the remit. By the rcniH' there was no intention to dictate to the Government. The motion was lost, eight voter! being recorded in its favour and twenty against.