SOLDIERS FOR FARMS

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 21931, 9 January 1943, Page 2

SOLDIERS FOR FARMS

RELEASE FACILITATED WANGANUI, Friday Following a complaint by the Wanganui District Primary Production Council that the Army had not released certain men for farm work in spite of the recommendation of appeal boards, the director of the fields division of the Department of Agriculture, Mr R. B. Tennent, has advised that because of the improved war situation he expects that the release of men will be made easier. The Wanganui council also emphasised the urgent need for experienced men being made available for harvesting wheat and other crops. The question was referred to Brigadier A. E. Conway, Adjutant-General of the New Zealand Military Forces. At a meeting of the National Council for Primary Production, Mr Tennent stated that Brigadier Conway had said the matter would be remedied in the future and had promised farmers 90 per cent satisfaction. Mr Tennent said he hoped farmers would continue to grow as much wheat as they possibly could. Unit commanders had been authorised to release men from camp for periods up to 28 days without reference to appeal boards. The secretary of the Wanganui council, Mr A. R. Donaldson, said today that New Zealand must produce all the wheat required for flour in the coming season. The shipping position made it doubtful whether any importations could be obtained as in the past.