RESIGNED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 21, 25 February 1942, Page 5

RESIGNED

MR HORROBIN OF WHANGAREI

ACCEPTED "WITH THANKS"

At the December of the Executive of the Auckland Farmers* Union the attitude of Manpower Committees and Appeal Boards iix dealing with farm cases -was discussed. Several cases were quoted by* members in which elderly farmers and their wives were subjected, to harsh and unreasonable treatment during hearings, and it was evident that the questioners were ignorant of the conditions under which farm work is carried out. In connection with one of these cases the Executive decided to follow the matter up, and as a consequence the following letter was sent to Mr N. Horrobin. of Whangarei: "It was reported that in dealing with a recent case that came before the Manpower Committee of whicb. you are a member, an appellant, Mr - was asked by ycu whether Mrs • worked in the shed or not. Mr - is alleged to have stated that Mrs is 57 years of age and that she does work in the shed sometimes: and that following this you enquired why Mrs did not work in the shed regularly. 4 "My Executive hesitates to believe these statements .-without full confirmation. and has instructed me e*t write and ask for your comments, and also for your views on the general question of the wives and daughters of farmers working-in-the sheds in order to release men for the fighting services." To this letter the following reply was received by Mr Horrobin dated January 4th: "Dear Sir, —Re yours of the 22ncl December Committees and Appeal Boards are not responsible to your organisation ■>. for directions. For any information you may require l please communicate with the Minister of National' vice. "Please accept my resignation as a member of the Farmers' Union as from the above date." Under date 1 January 9th. the Provincial Secretary, Mr A. F. Robinson, sent the following' letter to Mr Horrobini "Dear Sir, —I am instructed by my Executive to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant intimating your resignation from the N.Z.F.U. because corroboration or denial was sought in regard to your alleged advocacy, of the employment of women and children on farms before the general mobilisation of the man and woman power of the Dominion and I am further instructed to state that this Provincial Execn-* tive accepts 3 r our resignation with thanks."