FARMERS AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3017, 2 March 1917, Page 7

FARMERS AND THE WAR

■ DEPUTATION TO SIR JAMES ■ • ALLEN. • By Telegraph—Press Association. ! Stratford, March 1. Tlje Minister of 'Defence was waited upon at Stratford la's* night by a large number-of': representative farmers, and it- was- pointed' out to him that farmers were doing, their utmost to help ino country, and were now faced with two alternatives—should they keep up. the supply of men for tho fronb or keep up production. The farmers wore at their W'is end owing to the shortage of labour, and- the deputation asked that a dairy fajinor represent them on tho Apneal Board. ; Tho Minister, in reply, said he recognised that t3io position of the dairying ■ industry was a particularly, difficult ono. •Production rajust be kept up, he- said. The Military Service Board: was doing .its best to eoipe with tho situation! When, the Industrial Efficiency Board was at work a representative would bo spoilt round and would obtain expert advieo as to jndustrios and labour available. The board wonkl co-operate with the Military Servieo Board. Ho asked those prescrtt to.assist the representative- in every way. Ln regard to< placing- a dairy- farmer on. the board, he could : not alter the constitution. It must not be forgotten that no favouritism could .be shown. Ho could not look into the future,, but. ho hoped that the Second' Division would not be called up. In any case, six mnitths would ! nlanse before thoy -would bo required. Beforn next dairvinc; season he. hoped that labour would ho so 'organised us to meet the situation. Ho strongly advised men not to give, up their farm's but to maintain production to'the utmost. Ho himself was doing his best.