MINISTER CRITICISES THE SUFFERING FARMERS

Chronicle (Levin), 15 April 1947, Page 3

MINISTER CRITICISES THE SUFFERING FARMERS

press Association

— -7 SELL TO EXSERVICEMEN IF NOT SATISFIED

By Telegraph

\Y LL Li X U-TUa , Apni l-t. ' ' Thore are at leasf 50UU energetic, capuble .and fully qualilied ex-service-mcii .willing and auxious to take over. the responsioilities of farmers auft'ering from industrial exluiustion and desirous ■ of giviiig up the ,'unequal' struggle,'' said the M'inistcr: of Peliabilitation, llon. C. F. Skinner, when replyiiig to a • Press message from Gisborne stating that because of various difficulties some cldcrly farmers will cease breeding stuck and eoneentrute on dry sheep. "I well appreciate the exeellent wai' effort of our farmers and their difficulties at present in face of nhortages of labour and materials but their position is in no way ditlerent from any olher sectiou of the commufiity, " said the Minister. "An auonymous farmer asks 'wlio is goiug to point a linger at the older farmers who choose to restrict their eiforts ■ 1 will for oue," added Mr. Skinner. "And so will thousands of ex-servicemen* who have been waiting for an opportunity to go on the land to mahitahi production and *to heip Britain over some of the darkest days in licr history. If the farmer in question will get in touch with the local office of the Kehabilitatiou Departlneut, my officers willj ensure that immediate arrangements will be made to purchase lris propertv and make it available to laiul-hungry ex-servicemen. They will farni it. "