GRADE ONE MEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1944, Page 2

GRADE ONE MEN

POSITION IN PRIMARY PRODUCTION STATEMENT BY MR KEBBELL “Referring to an article in a recent issue of the ‘Times-Age’ headed ‘R.S.A. Protest,’ I am sorry that a business engagement in Wellington prevented me from being present at the Wairarapa R.S.A. annual meeting as I could have given information which should have prevented such an unwarranted attack being made on many grade 1 men held in the farming industry,” states Mr R. W. Kebbell, chairman of the Wairarapa Primary Production Council. “Here let me admit there are many exceptions to any rule. These men are doing an excellent job of work and are probably doing far more to win this war than many of those present at the meeting in question. I venture to say there is a far larger percentage of shirkers amongst those of us who are over age or not fit, than amongst these Grade One men. “How many of us can say we don’t shirk our duties? How many carry out our very moderate rationing conditions to a 100 per cent and by breaking these conditions are thieving the food intended for Britain and our soldiers and which is grown by these same Grade One men? How many of us shirk the calls for patriotic purposes? Have we all got; clear consciences in regard to benzine for instance? Do we work as many hours at our work as we could and when that work is finished do we offer our services towards helping the war effort or do we spend them playing golf, or going to the races or on other amusements? Yet, we talk about shirkers and malingerers. I could point to many shirkers malingerers in this war effort and there wouldn't be many Grade Oners amongst them either. “I suppose in a democratic country any individual is entitled to attack or criticise the policy of the Government of the country, but to attack individual groups affected by that policy is going too far. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that the statement as published tends to weaken the country’s war effort. But some people still seem unable to realise that there is more than one front in this war. New Zealand has been asked not only to stop the decline but to urgently increase the output of food products, the decline of which, is, to say the least, seriously concerning the British Government. Unfortunately, owing to security reasons it is very often impracticable to publish the reasons for certain policy matters. Although, in this outburst, the Government is blamed it should not be forgotten that that same Government has set up councils composed of men who have taken a leading part in the primary industry of this country and who. having been supplied with confidential information, should be in the best position to offer the soundest possible advice to the Government. “The R.S.A. should remember also that they have a representative on the War Cabinet. Representatives on the appeal boards and production councils are largely composed of R.S.A. men. Apparently, the outburst by some members at this meeting was based on facts as ill-founded as some of the figures quoted and one can only surmise that this ill-founded information excited them to such an extent that for the time being they lost control of their better judgment. May I ask just how long could Great Britain and her Allies carry on this war if sufficient food products are not forthcoming?”