H.—43

46

As occasion requires further Boards will be formed, and Boards may be amalgamated, added to, or reconstituted. Official Advisers will be appointed by the Government to assist the Commissioner of the National Efficiency Board in each district. In the event of the District Commissioner of the National Efficiency Board being unable to attend a meeting of the Trustees Board his Official Adviser may be deputed to sit as a member of the Board. Duty of Trustee Boards. Comment. —All farmer Reservists called up for military service should be strongly urged, in the interests of the national requirements for foodstuffs, not to take any action that involves the selling of their stock and the closing-down of their farms without first seeking the advice and assistance of a Trustee Board. The policy of the Government is to make provision for maintaining production of the country's primary products. It is realized that many men can suitably make arrangements to release themselves for military service as their turn comes. In such cases the services of Trustee Boards are not suggested, nor are they required, but it cannot be too strongly emphasized that the selling-off of the stock, and the consequent closing-down of farms, is opposed to the national interests in the present crisis. The aim should be to maintain the country's production, and with that end in view this organization is being effected, All farmer Reservists called up should therefore be appealed to either — (a.) Make their own arrangements for the continuance of their farms, and the maintenance of their produce and stock output, where it is practicable for them to do so; or (b.) Where it is necessary to avail themselves of the services of the Trustees, as provided herein, to fill up forthwith the annexed form, seeking the advice of the Trustees for their district. Boards may arrange to assist Trustees already acting for soldiers. Rules for Trustees. —Each Board shall appoint its own Chairman. Each Chairman shall see that minutes of all meetings are duly kept, and shall be responsible for the procedure of the Board. Two members of the Board shall form a quorum. The Chairman shall have a deliberative as well as a casting vote. Meetings of the Board shall be called by the Chairman as occasion requires; the Chairman may, in urgent cases, obtain the opinions of other members by interview or wire, and any action by the Chairman accordingly shall be confirmed at the next meeting. A copy of each application (made in duplicate by the soldier to the Trustee Board) must be sent by the Trustees to the Commissioner for the District in order that a full reoord may be kept. When the Board of Trustees and the Reservist have agreed that a trust shall be formed, a power of attorney is to be entered into, for which a draft form will be provided, which may have added to it such special clauses as are necessary to meet any particular conditions of the soldier's case. Such trust is not to be operative until it has been accepted in writing by the Commissioner for the district. Trustee Boards may arrange for labour as required for soldiers' farms, and provide supervisors to look after one or more farms. The method of financing farms in the hands of the Trustees is under consideration by the National Efficiency Board and the Government, and so soon as arrangements are definitely determined upon the Trustee Boards will be advised. Trustees will be entitled to be reimbursed by the National Efficiency Board for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with preliminary inquiries for the purpose of the formation of trusts, and in. connection with the general business of the Board. In the case of expenses incurred in administration of the estates, such charges shall be a debit, against, the property concerned. Trustee Boards at the outset may inquire as to what assistance they can obtain from solicitors and auditors in their respective districts in respect to voluntarily carrying out the necessary work of their Boards, and report what arrangements they recommend should lie made locally in the matter of accountancy. Any stationery or general office requisites necessary may be procured by the Trustees. Applications. — (a.) Any soldier, soldier reservist, or attorney for a soldier, desiring the services of Trustees must fill in Form A in duplicate; this form should afford all information in respect of the soldiers' financial position, the area and character of his farm, and particulars as to stock thereon. (b.) Upon receipt of any application duly made as provided in the last preceding clause the Trustees shall investigate the position of the soldier, and after such investigation they shall classify, as in their judgment may be- best, the apjiilieation under one of the following groups : — (I.) Farms where the Trustees are satisfied that the financial position is such that they can be carried on under their supervision, either alone or in combination with other farms. (2.) Where the financial or other position is such that, the Trustees cannot recommend that they should undertake their management, in which case no agreement, must be entered into. Where the District Commissioner has been requested by the Military Service Board to investigate specific cases of alleged hardship, the District Commissioner will remit the investigation to the Trustee Board, who will make personal and local inquiries, and send a report to the District Commissioner, setting out all details which they can obtain, especially noting (1) the financial position of the man, (2) his position with regard to labour, and (3) how his estate financially and from a producing point of view will be affected by his absence. William Ferguson, Chairman.