MANPOWER ON FARMS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 69, 4 May 1943, Page 2

MANPOWER ON FARMS

NEED OF FORESIGHT

POSSIBLE. DIFFICULTIES

The. policy of the Government in regard to the manpower difficulty on dairy farms was the subject, of a recent letter to the New Zealand Farmers' Union from lite Minister of Industrial Manpower, lion. A. McLagan. A copy of the letter has been forwarded to the Auckland Executive of the Union. The Minister said that the mallei' had already been under the serious consideration of the Government. The Armed Forces. Appeal Boards had been asked to ensure that before grade 1 men were mobilised for service suitable grade II men should be available to take their place. A recent survey of the previous occupations of men now in the armed forces had made it' possible to carry out this policy. A member of the executive, in suggesting that a remit, on the subject should be .sent to the Dominion Conference, said that there was a need to look Avell ajiead. There was a prospect, of the necessity for the sending abroad, of very numerous reinforcements of armed men from New Zealand. Their places must be met in some way, or they might be faced with the position of seeing all the farms worked by elderly women, as not only, all the able-bodied men, but also the. younger women, probably would be called up for service.

On the motion of Mr Scott Davidson (Whangarei) it was resolved that "this executive considers, that the manpower problem is becoming desperate and suggests that a carev fu'l consideration of overseas commitments should be given, .so that our farms and industries may not be entirely denuded of man power if and when substantial reinforcements are called for."

Mr R. R. Blade (Ahuroa) said it was- important that, an adequate number of competent shearers should be available for the wool season. There had already been some difficulty in this matter last season. He moved, and it. was agreed, that this matter be again impressed upon the Dominion Executive.