NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1917, Page 4

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

Westland Committee Set Up. A public meeting was held at tbe Town Hall yesterday afternoon to hear Mr E, P, Burbury, the advisor of the Canterbury Commisaioa of the National Efficiency Board in regard to the conttol of farms while the owoera were on active service. Mr H. Norman, County Chairman, presided, and briefly introduced the visitor. There was a representative attendance.

Mr Barbery said ths object of his vitfir, wat to lay before cbe people the detaiis of the Geraldine scheme in relation to the control and management of farms of soldiers while the men are on active service. Mr Barbary then detailed the proposals for management as adopted at Geraldine, and explained ths scope of the oferaioas of tbs scheme. It was stated that the members of th 9 Efficiency Board were all honorary officers, and acting as suoh with a desire to do their bit. It was. hoped a local advisory committee would similarly act, and probably the Chanty staff would assist with the clerical work, The committee were to be nominated by the meeting, and the appointment would be made by the Commissioner. It rested with the farmers going on service to dispose of their property as they thought best, and if the properties were left to the Committee, the latter would take up the management, personally seeing to the running of the farms, and employing labor as required. Plant would be procurable shortly through the Efficiency Board. In this connection Mr Barbary gave some interesting particulars of agricultural traotors which should be procurable shortly.

Speaking of tin conscription of farmers the speaker dealt with various aspects of subject. The farmers were giving their all, and it was a question how far the country shonld guarantee the farmer against loss. The financial harden of Buoh a policy was beyond the means of thecourtry and much as they would like to do so, ‘.he did not see how the liability could be undertaken. The alternative was to da the best they could for the farmer in the intelligent management of his farm while he was away.

With regard to the conscription of labor for home service, a laiga question was also involved. It woald be a very big matter in Canterbury where cereals were grown. There were many men over military age in various avenues who as boys bad a knowledge of farm work, aud it was hoped to oomb this class of man out of non-essential industries and occupations, and put them back on the land where they were requited. The war had to be won, and food supplies were most essential to that end. The farmer was bound as any other man by honor and patriotism just now to do their bit and play the game manfully. Everybody now had to do what they could to help the men at the front, and make an honourable finish of the war.

Mr Burbury referred to the settlement of the wheat question, the Canterbury and North Otago farmers having agreed to grow as much as poe3ible, aud with an average season they would have enough for home consumption. They were all in the same boar, and everyone must put their back to an oar or the great ship Britain would go down, That was the plain fact and the real circumstance under whioh he was before them that day to ask them to do their part in the national struggle. Mr Michel enquired if the scheme were working yet, aud if so, were auy farms in the hands of trustees ?

Mr Burbury said the scheme had been in hand for five weeks only, and farms to the number of ten or a dozen were in the hands of the trustees, while in other oases the farmers had left managers who were instructed to take advioe from the Committee. Tbs duties of the local Board would increase as time went on.

Mr Miohel moved that the meeting heartily approved of tbe National Efficienay Board’s scheme for the care of the farmers’ properties. The address had been dear and impressive, and great good was done by helping the people to understand the gravity of the position.

Mr Grimmond seconded the motion. The action was very pecessary as it was essential to sand every man to the front, and those remaining should do their part. There was the enemy within the gates frying to paralyse the industries. That was worse than the enemy they were fightiDg. Those acting detrimentally should be put where they could do no harm, and deprived of their civil rights for all time.

Tbe Chairman supported the motion, and stated Westland had been combed ont for men already, and it would be a hard task to oarry on the farms. The distriot was a scattered one and there might he difficulties, but he was sure they would all do their best.

The motion was oarried unanimously with applause.

The Chairman moved that Messrs Perry, Ward, Lang, Qouliston and the Chairman be nominated for the Advisory * Committee. Mr Miohel seconded. A suggestion was made to appoint southern representatives. It was pointed out that a Central Committee »vss required and sub-com-

mitteas oau'd be appointed for the outlaying districts. Messrs Ferguson, Scfft Robertson and Mclntosh were added to the Committee by way of recommendation, and in that form the motion was adopted. With regard to the appointment of Trustees, it was resolved to leave the matter to the Advisory Committee to consider and make a recommendation to the Government on the matter. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Burbury for his excellent address. Mr Burbury eaid it was a tremendous pleasure to thaok them for their kind vote. All his meetings had not been smooth, but "be had generally succeeded in the end in carrying his point. As an Englishman he felt the position very much, and said what he believed to be trne.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair,

Mr Barbnrv has wired the names of the Advisory Committee to the Commissioner with whom the appointment rests. As soon as appointed the Committee will meet to appoint a Chairman and Secretary, and nominate three Trustees for endorsement by the Government.