FARM RESERVISTS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3279, 23 June 1943, Page 5

FARM RESERVISTS

SURVEY'NOW IN PROGRESS ARMED FORCES APPEALS INSUFFICIENT GRADE 11. MEN The survey in progress during the past two months of farmers and farm hands who have been retained in the industry on sine die adjournments by the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board (Paeroa) has been practically completed. The objective is to find grade I. men who could be replaced on the farms by grade 11. men released from the armed forces, but in actual practice it has been impossible to get anything like enough grade 11. men out of the Army. As a result of the recent manpower survey conducted by the - Army the district manpower officer has a list of men whom the Army is agreeable to release and who are available for farm work. This information is at the disposal of the board. Obligation for replacement however is not altogether an Army matter, farmers and employers being expected to make some effort to obtain replacements for grade I. men.

Single Men Included

Many of the reviews affect fit single men who were called in the early overseas ballots and who were retained as a result of appeals. Some of the cases date as far back as December, 1940. Many of these cases were adjourned on grounds of public interest, as it was felt that at the time the farming industry could not afford to lose the men. From' time to time the cases have been reviewed and further adjournments have been granted after the boards have considered reports made by the district primary production committees. For all farm appeals the reservist or empioyei’ concerned now has to sign an affidavit giving details concerning the size of his farm, the stock carried, the number of men working on it, and the production figures. This information is referred to the local district primary production committee, which makes a recommendation to the boards. As already stated, the expected sufficiency of grade 11. men to go on to farms and replace the grade I. men has fallen far short of requirements if the lists prepared by the Army of available men is accepted as a guide.