EXEMPTION OF FARMERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 16, 13 October 1917, Page 9

EXEMPTION OF FARMERS

THE LAST MAN

MEMBERS ARE IMPATIENT

Tho Minister of Defenco has beeu prcsse<l~ln tho Hmi6e of Beprcsentativeß onco or twice recently to take steps to ensuro Unit under no circumstances shall the last able-bodied man be taken from any farm and sont to fight. The Minister on a previous occasion r reduced correspondence to show that the policy of the Govsfhnient was that the lust indispensable man who conld not be replaced should not be taken from a farm.

Members 6howed some impatience with .military service boards who have recused to obey to the letter tho instructions of the Government. Tho boards do not always grant exemption to such men, but the boardß take into' consideration everything. If a First Division, man has : a farm which he acquired in the year ' 1916, the board is not easily convinced : that this man should liave exemption. The Defence Minister referred to tho matter again yesterday, and read to the llouse the following circular letter being addressed by the Eeoruiting Board to military service boards:— memorandum for All Chairmen Military Service Boards. 1 am desired to again stress the seri- ■ ousnoss of tho position which is arising in the Dominion, owing to tho depletion (A skilled farm workers through enlistments in the Expeditionary Force. The Government is of opinion that production, must be maintained to the fullest possible extent, in view of the enormous financial burden.imposed on the Dominion by tho war.

It is considered absolutely essential, (lliurefore, that each faroi should be left ..with labour to work it, and that' iu no case should the man who is doing tiie whole of the work of his own. farm, Or the last son. on the farm of parents ■•vho are unable through age or infirmity to do the work themselves, or skilled agricultural labourers, bo taken for military service, unless, with respect to the last.named, efficient.labour is available to replac'o them. I am therefore directed, .to say that the Government deems it necessary to advise your board to adjourn sine die all cases whore the appellant comes within tho foregoing category,, in order that he may continue in work which is now as important and us essential as military service. It is further recommended that all Such .exemptions should be inado conditional on the reservist remaining in his occupation and reporting to that,effect at regular intervals at the nearest Defence Office. In view of the decision of tho Government that productivity must bo maintained to tho fullest possible extont, the Minister of Defence has decided to defer ■ft« calling up of those appellants who are due to proceed to camp with the October draft, in order that their case 3 may W re-submitted to the boards for further consideration. (Signed) J..D. GRAY. Members still showed impatience with tho position, of affairs, and several referred to specific oases. Mr Okey asked the Minister to amend tho Act, saying that boards would not ,->oarry out tho instruction. Even after Hippeal was made the last man on a farm was often taken. Sir James Alleu said he did not propose to have tho Act amended in that way. Members 6hould be content to leave the determination of cases to tho boards, Tecognising that there were often iwo sides to a case. ' 1 Sir John Findlay: Why don't you set up that Appeal Board? Sir .James Allen: Because I don t think it would be tho slightest good.

SALE OF THE ARAPAEPAE ESTATE. There will no doubt be a large attendance at the auction sale of the Arapaepae Estate to bo held at the Town Hall, Levin on October 31. Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., in conjunction with Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., have been instructed by the lrusl;pes of the M'Doimld'Estate to otter this ideal sheep and cattle run in three lots, comprising farms of 959, 850, and ,51 acres .respectively.. The- mildness and equability .of the climate, together with the easy accessibility of this neighbourhood, makes land in the district eagerly sought for, and the auctioneers report numerous inquiries already. Plans and particulars may be obtained Iroro all branches of the two firms concerned in, the sale, and complete arrangements have been made whereby intending purchasers may make a thorough inspection.