WEIGHTY WAR PROBLEMS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 37, 8 January 1943, Page 3

WEIGHTY WAR PROBLEMS

NEW ZEALAND'S POLICY

"DRIFT AND MUDDLE"

Various matters: concerning the Dominion's war-effort and the need for a more defined Government policy were discussed, by the Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at its monthly meeting on December 1(5. The president opened the discussion by mention of a conference held on the previous day between a committee of the Executive and six trade union secretaries. He said that the discussion which, like the preA'ious meeting on November 17, Avas of an informal character, extended over one and a half hours. It assumed lavo forms, viz., talks regarding the present problems of the country and also post-Avar matters. Particular matters referred to included. the conduct of the Dominion Avar effort, its military obligations and the supply of labour to essential industries. In a general discussion by memI; Avar said poliddlc. nsive. there Zeawas Df an East isi no .d. be l the L'ounnp retro a) , attiIs for A'ice. , sold it he gain. 1 at AA" a s enter ment vantr A. gold mining had been declared an essential industry. This Avas. unnecessary. In Canada, for. instance, the gold, mines had been closed. Reference Avas made by several speakers to the large number of young and able-bodied Maoris in

certain districts, who Avcre making no contribution to the Avar effort in either a military or industrial capacity. The president said that this question was only a small part of the, problems of the moment. The country did not know its military obligations. and there seemed to be a strange lack of policy in regard to tlie placing of man and woman power. He instanced the case of a young doctor who had resigned from a fully-staffed Southern Mental hospital in order to practice in the Helcnsville district which was now without the services of a medical man. And yet lie had been pulled back because he did not have the consent of the Manpower Committee. Mr E. Palliser (Springdale) said that at present there was not, between Morrinsville and Pacroa, one farrier capable, of shoeing a horse. Mr A." E. Bryant (Tc Awamutu) said that there was something to be said in favour of the Maoris. He instanced the case of a party of Maoris preparing 2.1 acres ol '.and for the planting of potatoes, and all to no purpose as the Government would not supply the seed. The president said thai certainly belter use should be made of Maori manpower. A motion to this ellect was carried.