Hokitika Guardians & Evening Star THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13th. 1917. A MENACED INDUSTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardians & Evening Star THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13th. 1917. A MENACED INDUSTRY.

A matter of very great interest to the district cropped up at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday night in the -letter from the Wataros ■■ Dairy Company, which set out how tho industry was menaced by tho enforcement of i the Military Service Act to tlie full extent. The statement is published in full, because the set of circumstances obtaining at Wataroa, ive are led to believe obtains also in other dairying districts in Westland. Perhaps it is well that the Company has taken the matter up in an impersonal way, because there are many reservists who would not think for one moment of appealing on their own .behalf, Tn the ordinary course as soon as officially notified of their selection they would disperse their herds without delay. This lias happened already and dairying is being not only prejudiced but imperilled by this action. The industry bore is practically in its infancy, und in some settlements the number of suppliers are limited. In some instances tho factories started only with tho minimum number of miloh cows, and there has not been enough time in the heavy bush country to expand sufficiently yet to place the industry in such places in an independent position The district is therefore in a fair wnv to" suffer’ serious injury by reason of the nntur-

al growth and expansion of the iudustry boinsx ijc-tu filly df>torinined, Th** individuais who fall victims to the ballot from the dairying districts are heavy losers, and make personal monetary sacrifices of u very material character The act, however, takes little cognisance of this, and the sacrifice has to he made, and to tho credit of-the men they are making it very willingly. But the act does provides that where the calling up of & reservist, by reason of

hite occupation is contrary to the public interest, he has the right to appeal with material ground for success. Tho point seems to be, therefore, whether the production of food supplies—Cheese in this 1 instance —known to be most essential, would not be of greater value in helping to win tho war than the few additional men which could be called, to the ranks. This is a question which must bo determined by Dio authorities. As has been stated the men so called up are not disposed to nppeal on their own belialf. Some authority should act on their behalf, which would be quite proper in the public interest, and the Chamber lias done well to bring Die subject under the notice of the authorities whose duty it is to deal with the matter. In connection with tho dairying industry, it must he borne in mind that labour: is available to any extent, nor are many settlers disposed to j hand over their property to a' locum, i Eor this reason the essential nature oi dairying becomes- the determining point and if the the authorities regard it as indispensible then there is a-strong case for allowing dairymen to remain at tliwir posts. The position should he safeguarded and-served by the action proposed by the Chamber of Commerce | and.it is well the matter has been so taken up.