MEN OR FOOD?
FARMERS' UNION AND THE WAR SHOULD FARMWORKERS BE ' CONSCRIPTED? At the Farmers' Union.Conference yesterday Mr. H.. D. Vavasour (.Marlborough) moved: "That this conference is of opinion that the agricultural and pastoral labour having already been depleted by' one-half, it is essential for thoso industries, both in the interests of tho Ji.npire and of the Dominion, that no moro essential labour from them should be conscripted." Mr. Vavasour said tho question was i,f immense importance; it was the question of the day. Ho had, a year aso, suggested that the Government should be asked to state which it regarded tho more important—men or food. He had never expressed the opinion that wo should stop sending moro men, but he held that tho height of patriotism was to do the best possible for tho Enipiro ajnd, to apply business intelligence to that end. The farmers were the most patriotic of men, but were inclined to bo hysterically • patriotic. The Defence Minister had said he wished the farmers of tho Dominion to understand that the production' of the country must bo kept up to its utmost, but on the other hand ho made that impossible by>sendine; tho farm workers to the war. Tho Government were much to blame for not organising labour: that ■ should have been l done years ago. All ho asked now was that nicn needed for essential industries should'.bo retained, and if it was necessary to keep up reinforcements to supply the men from other industries; He wis satisfied there would be a. shortage of cereals in the coming season. The farm labourers of military ago at tho beginning of tho Tear numbered 28,700. Practically tho whole of them had gone to tho war. He was convinced that production had been so seriously interfered with that soon wo would not be, ablo to feed ourselves, and would have to go abroad to buy produce. It was imperative to keep every farm labourer they could on the farms. If they did not thero/ would bo a tremendous economic upheaval and disaster to tho Dominion. Mr.] A. Fraser (Lawrence) seconded the motion. Too aiany 6iich remits could not be passed. Mr. Or. Anderson (Pelorus) opposed tho motion. Ho did not think tho bulk of tho farmers wanted special treatment; they desired to be treated similarly with Mr. J. M'Queen (Southland) spoke others. ! against the motion. The responsibility should be left to the. authorities. . Mr. J. Bitcbener (South Canterbury) agreed with Mr. M'Queen. He hoped the motion would not go forward as the opinion of the farmers. Mr. P. Keegan (Taneatua) suggested this addition to tho motion: "Until tho non-essentials havo been called up." J Mr. Vavasour: I'll accept that. Several delegates advocated the withdrawal of the motion. The president: Do you still wish to go to the vote, Mr. Vavasour? Mr. Vavasour: Yes. The motion was defeated by 20 votes to 8. . ■; "
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Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3146, 26 July 1917, Page 7
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483MEN OR FOOD? Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3146, 26 July 1917, Page 7
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