WOMEN’S LAND ARMY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 85, 12 April 1940, Page 6

WOMEN’S LAND ARMY

NO NEED FOR ONE YET VIEW OF MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE [ Per Press Association. j WELLINGTON, Apiil 11. No representations had been made I to him regarding the establishment of I a women’s land army, and it seemed that, for the present, there was no desire for it, said the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Marlin, : to the National Recruiting Council to- ; day, when he replied to a report by i Mr. L. Caro, Hamilton, advocating the • establishment of such an organisation. ■ Mr. Martin said he had discussed the matter with women’s organisations in ' November, and no suggestions lor tne establishment of a land army had yet • come forward. He was convinced the ; time had not yet arrived lot it. If it ; were started he was satisfied the whole responsibility would be thrust on the Government, and that there , would be considerable difficulty in I creating the desired organisation and I placing the women to advantage throughout New Zealand. So far, there were no real grounds tu believe the women's organisations were behind the project, or wanted lu sec a land army established. The Director-General of Agriculture Mr. a. H. Cockayne, said nu iiuu not been approached since the initial meeting in November, but he felt there should be some sort of organisation put into force through which women, trained or not, ana desiring to go on the land, could be placed with a reasonable employer.