PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 86, 3 August 1942, Page 5

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

CIRCULAR TO COUNCILS

STATEMENT BY MR POLSON

The following circular letter has been received by the secretary of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Primary Production Council from Mr R. B. Tcnnant, Controller oj' Primary Production:— "In the work of primary production during the period of the war the National or District Councils of Primary Production will play a vital part. The Minister of Primary Production (the Hon. W. J. Poison) who has been a member of the Na-r tional Council of Primary Production since its establishment and who has played a leading part in the formation of District Councils, stated to-day that his experience with these organisations had made him realise their value, and he intended to give them more responsibilities and wider activities in the future.

"The announcement made by the Prime Minister on farm labour has already the District Councils the task of co-operating Avitli the manpower committees in seeing that there is an adequate supply of labour for essential primary production," said Mr Poison, "and from

my long experience with farmers' organisations I know that they aahll carry out this work faithfully, making the national interest the first and only consideration.

"I realise that at the present time some of the Council feel that their duties are practically negligible, but there should be no complaint on this score in the future, and in order to help them in the Avork AA'hich AA'ill be allotted to them, it is proposed to alloAV them to appoint a paid executive officer.

"In the carrying out of plans for production for Avar purposes it is proposed to giA*e the District Councils much of the responsibility of seeing that their areas fulfill the particular plan that has been allotted to them. The farmers of a district have the best knoAvleclge *of its potentialities and Avhen the responsibility of carrying out a production programme is placed upon them I knoAv that their response will be adequate. "In addition to acting as a link between the farmers and the nian-

power committees on manpower which is liable for duty in the Armed Forces the District Councils will also have the task of assisting in the organisation of labour for harvesting, shearing and other seasonal work, and thej 7 ' will be called upon to help in the organisation of women who will be asked to play their part in assisting the farming industry in wartime. The scheme for the employment of women which will be announced shortly, aims at raising the status of these women and making provision for their accommodation . "I a"!so propose to give the Councils some work in connection with the distribution of fertiliser, and details of this scheme which have not yet been fully worked cut, will be c.\yained to the District Councils shortly. There will be no interference with the cropping ration already decided upon and regulations dealing with this will be issued immediatclv.

"As an immediate task, I appeal to all Councils to help the War Administration in solving the manpower problem. Specific directions on this subject have already been sent to Councils, and as the new season is starting in some districts.

the matter is urgent

"In some cases the men who. have been appealed for or recalled from the Armed Forces have protested against any action which has been taken on their behalf. This attitude lias much to commend it, but it should be remembered that in this*, total war their farming activities should be important as those who arc serving in the Army, Navy or Air Force. In aiming at its decision to transfer men from the Armed Forces or to retain them in civil life the Government, with all the of the situation before it, has decided that certain men are more valuable in industry, both primary and secondary, and its policy is calculated to bring about the maximum effort in the Armed Forces, on the farms and in the factories.

"Let us discipline our own personal inclinations. If we all place our services at the disposal of the country, and work with persistent enthusiasm in the activity that has been allotted to us, then we can truly say that ours is an all-in-ef-fort."