Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE PUBLISHED Every Tuesday and Friday. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1917. THE QUESTION OF PRODUCTION.

Western Star, 20 March 1917, Page 2

Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE PUBLISHED Every Tuesday and Friday. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1917. THE QUESTION OF PRODUCTION.

Evidence is accumulating that the Dominion is not likely to grow sufficient wheat to meet its own require, ments. The reasons for this are not far to seek. The first is that sheep afford a bettor return, and the second is the shortage of labor. When the Dominion was first faced with the possibility of a shortage, some relief was afforded by the Prime Minister’s appeal to the growers to sow at least the usual area so as to make the country independent of outside supplies. The Acting-Minister of Agriculture is now appealing to the growers to see that at least two hundred and fifty thousand acres are planted during the coming season, and it is his intention to have another conference with farmers ■ with the object of coming to an understanding. Tho Government considers the matter so important that it is possible that the Acting-Prime Minister will send out a personal individual appeal to the present growers, and others farming suitable wheat laud, to sow* definite areas as a patriotic service to the Dominion in a time of national crisis. He has already urged farmers drawn in the ballot not to leave their laud idle while they are away at the war. Cases have been brought under his notice where stock have been sold up and the properties shut up by holders who preferred that course to making appeals to the Military Service Board for exemption or application to the National Efficiency Board for advice and assistance. The ActingPrim© Minister wishes it to he widely known throughout the country that the Government regards the production of foodstuffs in war time as ai national necessity of the first importance. He has not stated] that every farmer who appeals to the Military Service Board will be 'exempted from, service, but he has practically hinted that the need for keeping the farms going will he considered in a sympathetic manner. The question whether farmers who volunteered or refused to appeal when drawn in the ballot! should under certain circumstances be allowed to proceed on active service was discussed by the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, and it was resolved that before any farmer or member of any essential industry is finally enlisted the Efficiency Board should make full enquiry into the case, and if it wore found that his leaving the Dominion would seriously diminish the production of foodstuffs or other essentials' such enlistment shpuld not bo allowed. Tho appeal of the Government and the resolutions of certain farmers’ organisations make it clear that the whole position requires to be reviewed. Can New Zealand continue to send away so many men and at the same time keep up its production? Which is of more importance to the Old Country—men or foodstuffs? These questions require authoritative answers. The ActingPrime Minister has said that the production of foodstuffs is of the first importance. Does that mean it takes precedence of the supply of men? It

is apparent that the Dominion cannot do the two things simultaneously for any great length of time. Statistics show a great drop in the quantities that are now being produced, although tho money value is greater to-day than in pre-war times owing to high prices. By the end of the year one hundred: thousand men will be under arms —that is practically ten per cent, of the population, which is as many, according to authorities, as it is possible to take from, a nation for purposes of war, although in time of stress the number may he increased to fifteen per cent. How production is to be increased with a continuous stream of men leaving is a. problem that requires solution, and the time has arrived when the whole position) should he reviewed to ascertain whether concentration on one thing would not render greater service than attempting to do too much. • The importance of production has not been overstated for tho reason that any serious diminution in this would tend to cripple the finance of the Dominion on which the whole of our operations depend, mill-

tary aud otherwise. I* 1 185 k e6Mi ur g o d by some journals that persons unfit for active service should be sent on to the farms to take the places of those called up. Farmers are not enamored of this proposal, and few would care to trust inexperienced persons with their horses and machinery. The maintenance of production aso nu volves other labor, and with a decreasing number available for active service, how would they fare? There are large numbers of men engaged m other industries essential to the success of the primary producers, such as railway men, carters, waters,dors and seamen. These all assist in .vetting the products of the country to their destination, and their cases are all bound up in the production question. With a steady diminution, of labor increased production is not possible, and the Government may yet have to say what is the very best work the Dominion can do to help to win the war—production of foodstuffs or the calling up of every available man for service. What the Imperial Government think of production may be gathered from the statement made by Mr Bonar Law in the House of Commons last Friday. The War Office and Board of Agriculture have been informed that it regarded the production of food as even more important than the sending of men to the army. In fact, experienced men were being withdrawn from the Army to engage in agriculture. This shows that in the Old Country it is not thought that any kind of inexperienced labor can be utilised successfully in all agricultural operations.