REHABILITATION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3281, 28 June 1943, Page 6

REHABILITATION

BOARD AND COMMITTEES DISCUSSION BY FARMERS UNION’S POLICY ADOPTED The question of representation on local committees to be formed under the direction of the Rehabilitation Board was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union week. Committee Appointed A circular from the Dominion secretary of the Union stated that the Rehabilitation Board had established 23 committees, which were operating in the larger centres. It had been decided also to appoint additional committees in a large number of smaller towns, a list of which was enclosed. ' It was stated that it should be the function of the committees to advise the Board on various matters, including employment, training and study for civilian occupations, land settlement. housing and financial assistance in the purchase of land, stock, implements and tools, furniture or businesses. The Board would advise the committees from time to time of its general policy and decisions on rehabili tation matters.

Mr J. 11. Furniss (vice-president), moved: “The Farmers’ Union will gladly nominate members for Rehabilitation Committees as soon as the Government enunciates a political, economic and industrial policy which will assure a livelihood to those on the land comparable with that of other sections of the community rendering equal service. Apart from this service the Farmers’ Union will give to those settled on the land all the assistance

in its power.” Mr Furniss said it would be useless to quarrel as to whether they were going to have one or two representatives on the committees. If farmers! conditions were coming to such a pass that they could not make a decent living it would be only an act of treachery to induce soldiers to enter a calling that was now regarded as nnremunerative, and which must be changed very drastically if they were to live at all. The motion was lost by 7 votes to G. Mr A. Briscoe Moore moved: “The Farmers’ Union will be glad to appoint representatives to rehabilitation committees on the distinct understanding that they can take no responsibility for the successful rehabilitation of men on the land, except under the condition set out in the Union's statement of policy made in May. 1943.” (This statement defined conditions for economic farming). The motion was seconded by Mr A. C. Harrison (Tauranga) and carried by S votes to G.