THE FARMER AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 214, 29 May 1918, Page 4

THE FARMER AND THE WAR

f T ,'I K D 1 ?- tc 11 ? tn,ck t,k ° president or the Wellington branch of the 1 1 .11 mors Union in his opening aildress at the annual confcrer.ce now taking place at Masferten commands both respect and co;nincnd,aI tion. Mr. Marshall, speaking as a farmer to farmer;} on matters [affecting the farming interests of the Dominion, very "frai-'rlv, vow . clearly, and very forcibly expounded the duty of the farmer as; a mityiot. Hie, remarks arc of especial interest and value just now'when our diminishing man-power is' lieginning to make itself felt in all classes of industry and when the necessity for maintaining production in our essential industries grows greater with the increase of our financial burdens. It is true, as Me. Marshall remarked, that it is wonderful how the work of the country has gone on in spite of the absoncc of the large number of our young men who have been withdrawn from trade and industry to serve in the ranks of the armies lighting overseas. But the responsibility on tlios.fi left, behind increases with each month that pas:vs. aud it is to be feared.that this fact as it ■applies .to themselves, is not sufficiently .appreciated by the individual members of tho community. The president of tiic Farmers' Union, however, leaves no room for doubt in this respect in his address to his fellow-members: I think you will agree with me (ho said) tluit the policy ol' our union fur tlio duration of tho war, should ho to loyally support the National Government in tho measures it has token to enable this small country'to (five the greatest assistance possible in carrying tho war through to a successful conclusion. Any man who is not willing to do all lis can to help is a shirker. ... \ H n union we must urge all who cannot go to Urn front to remember that our timo is not really onr own any longer, but that it belongs to the nation, and we are called upon to make the best use ol' it that we are able. Jt is clearly the <luty of every one who remains hero to do his utmost to moko his land as productive as possible by every means at his disposal. All that we can produce is badly wauled now, and will be more urgently wanted when this unmerciful and abominable war is finished.

The fanners of the Dominion probably have experienced greater difficulty in carrying on the work of their farms anc! maintaining production than the majority of thoso engaged in other occupations. Though heavily handicapped by tlio shortage of skilled labour they have shown splendid results. The. appeal of their president should stimulate and cncouragc tlicm to maintain and even increase their efforts; but his message applies with equal force to an even wider audience. It should bo taken to heart by all sections of the community—U applies to each individual aliko as a call to national duty which no true man can in honour ignore.