NEW ZEALAND'S PART

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2494, 22 June 1915, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S PART

HOW THOSE AT HOME MAY HELP SIR JAMES WILSON'S VIEW Gome practical suggestions as to how the shortage of labour in the country, consequent on the departure of so many men with the might be made good are outlined by Sir James Wilson, President of the Board of Agriculture. "Tin: Dominion's article on 'New Zealand's Part'," states Sir James Wilson, "is a timely reminder that we must set our house in order and arrange our work beforehand. Beforo last harvest a few gentlemen (professional men) wrote to me and suggested that it was possiblo farmers mignt require assistance to get their crops in, and offered thoir services to help to do so. Mr. S. A. Atkinson offered his services as organiser or worker when called on. At that time I did not think thero was any great need of help, but if the area of crops is increased to such an extent as we hope for in the coming season, farmers will certainly want all tho assistance they can get. The samo necessity to grow more food and other produce is present in every country in the world, and to-day's papor records that a committee had been appointed as Homo to consider what necessity there was for legislation to increase tho production of food in England and Wales (Scotland is left out, as they have now a separate Board of Agriculture). As far as I can glean there may be one-third inoro in crop in this West Coast district, if weather conditions are favourable for spring sowing. Possibly in some districts of Canterbury the area in crop will ho doubled, and already tho Farmers' Union executive at the instance of Mr. Horrell has discussed this very point. He was careful to point out that it was not the question of wages, but of hands, that the farmers were considering. There is another phase of this question, viz., the harvesting of crass and other seeds. Mr. Stanley Hill, who has lately left the Agricultural Department to start farming on his own account, lias brought this before my notice. There are many seeds which are usually imported, but which could easily be grown here if thero was assured labour at tho right time. He says:'lt has seemed to me that much could be done in this country by organising school children so that during the summer holidays they might be profitably employed in assisting to gather the seed harvest. _ This would be especially acceptable during the coming season, when farmers will require inoro assistance than is likely to De obtainable.' And he suggests that Education Boards, Agricultural Instructors, School Committees, and branches of the Farmers' Union should join together, and organiso this help where it is. wanted. I can answer for tie Farmers' Union, Everyone to do his 'bit.' _ I am suro that they will do everything in their power to further such a scheme. "I should therefore suggest that: —

"1. All business, or professional men, or -those connected with trade, who wero prepared to devote some time to assist farmers during harvest time (especially in Canterbury and the wheat-growing districts of Otago) should register with the secretary of the nearest Farmers' Union, and a list kept so that those farmers who required labour could secure assistance. "2. That in seed-growing localities the School Committees and branches of the union should confer for tho purpose of getting school children's help during seed harvest, and that Education Boards and Agricultural Instructors and teachers bo asked to holp. "Such organisation would be of the utmost benefit, and as more and more men go to tho war, and there seems not much prospect of their return in timo for harvest, a beginning should, as you say, be made at once. The working of townspeople in the country (when tho blisters had healed) amongst the country folk would havo many benefits bo- ' siucs that of growing more food. Townspeople would share the farmers' constant anxiety during harvost,_ owing to weather conditions, would see if tho season was unsuitable; how manjr dangers ■there are before the grain is safely garnered. Friendships would be made, and each would be more tolerant of the other, and have greater sympathy with each other. I have to thank you fur the opportunity of making public a scheme I had in hand, although no step had been taken as yet to put it 'on the market. 1 "