Farmers' Interests

Levin Daily Chronicle, 17 March 1917, Page 2

Farmers' Interests

> AXID CALLS i' 01l 'i'HE WAII. JMP'OJiTAXT MEETIMG AT LEVIX. i iS.nie fifty farmers attended the ! inciting calk'd' for yesterday at Le/in, «; .arnitvij thrnu.gh< - ut' the county and its environs, to elect trustees to icau- | ;ge absent soldiers' farms. j .itr G. A. Honk, chairman of the ! J .o, cu'lieima County Council, Mas voted Ito the chair. He expressed regret j that the attendance was not greater. However, it was representative of the. district, and he dared say it would do as good work as a whole hall full of farmers might. He invited every far. jiier present to express any ideas or suggestions that, he had; there was need lor all to help in formulating a scheme as practicable as possible. Mr "HV. H. .read the advertisement codling the meeting and spoke of the desire of the .National Efiiciaicy Board to formulate a scheme under v. hich labor and supervision would bo supplied to. look after the farms of absent soldiers. Mi- 'Field road the circular issued by Mr Moss, (f the National Efficiency Board, cutlining the scheme for having supervisors of farms, accountants, etc., to be directed by local boards cf trusters (some twenty-ifivc boards in all), one ol' wliidi ibaards will be representative of-the Qteiki. Horowhcmna and Manawatu districts, with headquarters at iLevin. The beards cf trustees are to be appointed by the Government, on the recommendation of the 'National Efficiency Board, and are to give their rviccs voluntarily. Mr Field said it was plain that a serious position bad arisen; farms were going back as a result cf'enlistments for tilie war, and unless something wias, done there would >.c a very serious diminution in the amount of produce put cut. Already there was a big drop in the products of farms; statistics collected lately had 1 roved this. New Zealand, under conscription, was doing what no other part, of the Empire was doing, Gave Great Britain; Ntew Zealand farmers, too, were receiving less for tlieir cheese

nn some other parts of the empire

v,e;-e 'receiving. He knew that* the New Zealand farmers did not complain, hut he did contest the alle©at riis that were made in. the towns that tli3 "farmers were making, all the money." It was not true; not true of the small farmers, at all events. .He would like some of tlio6e well-off city

ciitius to come, into the country «iud try fa rilling in these times of drought. ! hey soon would change their expres- „ si oils of opinion. • Mr Field went on to give specific instances of hardships infl.cled 011 farmers through the need to keep up reinforcements for the .Vw Zealand Expeditionary Force. Ke spoke of the ease of a widow near j'oxton whose last boy had been called up in the latest -ballot. 1 ■ / She and' two sons had been' milking 45 cows, and unless her case could be helped by some such scheme as the National Efficiency Board was outlining, fihe wouls have . to dispose of her cows. That would 11-ot be in the best interests of the country. Mir Field mentioned that farmers were not aveiee to the keeping up of tall essential industries to the fullest possible extent; lie mentioned that to prevent misunderstanding; but they were assembled that' clay, as farmers, to consider the cases of farmers only; he'mentioned that to prevent misunderstanding. Mr Field mentioned that men were coming over -- from Australia to take the place of New Zealanders sent -on active service. The Australians were not subject to compulsory military service. It seemed to him unfair that our New Zealand men should be sent away while Austmlians of military age were allowed to remain here (applause). In England men who were farmers were being called back to attend to the farms; it seemed to him that it would be better ■ to call ibaclc from' the camps some of the New Zealand fanners who were 111 camp there, and, who could help the country better by farming than by going to the front. -Mr T. Moss, of the National Efficiency Board, began his address by a reference to the personnel of the National Efficiency Board, and spoke of the good business capacity of its men. He went 011 to say that he stood hefore the farmers' that day as representing not only the farmers but the shearers and every other branch of tho industry connected with farms. He was stripped, for the time being, of his position as chairman of the Wellington Provincial Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union ; he mentioned that because he had seen in Levin public library an article oh to-day s r meeting (in Tho Chronicle) that referred to him in his capacity as chairman of the union. Air Moss went on to speak of hilly country in laiana-ki that was "going hack'' the owners had enlisted and gone off leaving their farms, which were rapidly deteriorating. In other cases farmers had gone early to the war in the assurance that brothers or managers would look after the farms. , Now these men would be or had been called up in the compulsory military service ballot. Oases of hardships aro.se in this way; and when the Boards of Trustees were established men who were heing Shit in this way could go to the trustees and have representations "made on their behalf, to the military service board, whenever cases seemed to demand it. Mr Moss referred to the cases of some Dalmatians in tlie north. They were not allowed to go to the front although some of them were willing. These men could help in other ; by working farms, for instance; but they were demanding £■> a week. Was that fair? Were our boys to fight for these people and they demand such Exorbitant 'Xhe Government would be asked to organize all labor, making a list of all

men in the dominion aged from 17 to 60 years, from which labor could bo organized. The farmers, he was sure, were only too willing to help; tell them what to do and they would be found with their "heads in , Uho collar" straiight away.

-Mr Williamson, who said lie had had fifty years' experience of farming, twid"he could .do most parts of farming, but ho could not do stacking. Wherj w;,s l-aior to come from for that? The labor was going out of the country. iiis two soiio had been drawn in the ballot, and on his advice they appealed, .as he did not want to be left on the farm alone at his a'ge. The boys were asked by tlie court if they had ever been oil a racecourse; did they drink, etc. He himself was asked what was his financial position, and when he objected lie was threatened by the "Courjj. Was that tlie proper way to deal with these matters? He said No. , (Applause).

Mr F. Ryder spoke of further cases of hardship lie know of, that he said were even harder than those spoken of by Mr Williamson. Tlie chairman said lie thought it would be well to drop further reference to such cases as they were met to devise remedies, not to draw attention to the general aspect of tlie trouble. -Mr Jamc-s McLeavey said that farmers had been invited to speak of tlie eases they knew of, and he thought it inadvisable .to shut down on such discussion. Mr Moss said he had bad conversation with members of tlie Milita'y Service Board and had learned that they were alive to the serious nature of the present position. it was to make clear t!:e individual cases that the boards would be set up. .'Mr Lyons (Taiikorea) moved "That the Government 'be written to asking tlie Government that no moro men bo token off the farms who are engaged in the production of-, food." Mr Pearce spoke of a son who had been twice rejected and who since had been married. Now he was drawn in the ballot, and speaker now had to run the farm, though he had been farming for over 50 years..

Mr A. Murray mentioned that in the last ballot there wore 95 farmers from this coast. If that lasted there soon would bo very few persons left. He joined with the chairman in a suggestion to Mr Lyons, that Mr Lyons' motion be withdrawn, and in its place there be substituted a recommendar tion to the board of trustees to move in tlie matter in such way as it deemed desirable.

Mr Lyons fell in with this suggestion.

Mr O. Blenkhom said it was necessary to look at the fact that ibofh men and material,were needed to win this war; not men ionly. Production should .be kept up. A list of men aged from 17 to (say) 65 should be set up; from this men could be selected to do productive work as well as men to go to the front. If men were engaged in inessential industries tliey should be told to do something of use to the empire; that was I)is opinion (applause).

'Mr. F. J. Ryder moved and Mr. R. V. Brown seconded a motion to t}ie effect thiat a board of trustees be appointed. OVIr. Brown gave his view that there was great need for farmers who appealed against being drawn for active iserviice being represented before tlio military appeal boards; when they went themselves they frequently were blustered 'by memibers of the board until they, were so flustered that they were unable to make their cases /clear, and their interests suffered in consequence.

Mr. James P,rouse said the first consideration was to win the war, and next came the question how were we to do it? New Zealand absolutely had to keep up .production. ,It was important to decide "What are essential workers?" and .secondly, "How shall their interests be considered?" After that came the question of the support of the men at the front. He was not struck altogether favorably with the present proposal as to trustees; he till ought the 'central board should have committees in each settlement, which should know the local conditions and report thereupon to the trustees. What would a trustee from (say) Otnki know of the local conditions in a district quite different from his ownP .

IMr. Field, M.P., said that under the scheme there were powers for the appointment of expert advisers to assist the trustees, and doubtless there would be subsidiary advisers appointed by the trustees wherever the trustees thought -they were Tequired. He thought it would be a satisfactory procedure if the meeting appointed trustees that day,—and advisers if the meeting so decidod —and then wait a little time to see what further needs arose.

In reply to a questioner, Mr. Moss said it would .be advisable for the meeting's trustees to decide upon the boundaries for their own districts.

Mr. Feiarce suggested that it would bo to,get .the Fanners' Union brancjhetj throughout the distinct to co-operate with the boards. The motion for appointment of a board of trustees was carried on the voices. In moving the appointment of Mr. Monk, Mr. Ryder said he realised the class of man wanted, and lie realised that in Mr. Monk -there was just the type of man required. Mr. Field seconded the motion, and spoke of the good work done by Mr. Monk in public matters. He was a successful farmer also. iHe was in the second division, and if the war went on he would tbe called up, but he could safely take the office for a while.

Mr. Monk regretted having to decline the nomination. Already ' his public duties absorbed the whole of his time; it would be impossible for him to do justice to the position. Ho appreciated that an. honor had been done him in the nomination, and it was with regret that he refused the honor. There were threee brothers in hie business partnership. One brother and himself were on the farm to-day; they were both in the second division, and they meant to gq forward and do thuir duty "when called. Tho third brother already was at the front. In the meantime, Cr. Monk could do no more than he has doing already. Mr. iSleukhorn suggested that it would be well to appoint a committee that would decide upon suitable men for- trusteeship, and approach them with regard to. acceptance of office. Mr. E. M. Herrick fully supported Mr. Bleiikliorn's proposal; he thought ib would bo the- best way to proceed in order to get the best men.

-Mr. M'oiijk said he had Ito differ; cn tlijs matter; the appointment! tJiGuld be made without delay, and; «he -p'ropos-itikn seemed merely to ibe: an endeavor to shuffle the responsik j i ly on vo feiVL'i' slioulders. Alter the wuibject had been discus-, awl f.irther, t\lr. Bieiiikliom /Laid he! still Was |of opinio'n that ,'tlie 'Uast j method would be to appoint a selec-, tion committee of say ten or a dozen: members to decide upon three naniesi for rc-ommendatioiw to the .National] Efficiency Board for appointment as' trustees. He moved accordingly. j Mr Tully deprecated the creation of any idea that Levin was "trying to; catch everything" ; sometimes* that idea got abroad' in the south; he hoped that when the committee was set up it would be representative of all the district. lie said that as a resident of Levin.

-Mr Gearge Stephenson moved as an amendment that a committee of five be appointed to recommend names to the meeting when it reassembled after lunch. Mr Blenkhorii withdrew his motion in favor of Mr Stephenson's amendment. "•rfiMsr J. McLeavey advocated the making of a decision without adjournment oi tae meeting. -Ur .Stephenson withdrew his amendiiiem and .Mr Ulenkhorii's motion then was put and lost on the voices.

-Ur R. V. Brown proposed ill- F. -d. Ryder as -trustee, but Mr'Ryder reclined nomlination. He had not the t.nie to spare outside his present public duties. The chairman suggested that Mr Ryder might take the position. Mr Ryder, in declining nomination, said he would 'be prepared to help any man appointed. Mr James Avery proposed Mr J as. a*rouse; iie was chairman of Levin Dairy Company, and a capable man. Mr i'rouse said he was a 'busy man, out iie was prepared to accept the position tentatively. Mr F. O. Smith proposed and Mr -Monk seconded the nomination of Mr Ueorge Stephenson. Mr Stephenson said lie already had undertaken to supervise two farms if occasion aiose, and every ballot brought tiie need nearer. However, lie would be iglad to do all lie could. Mr Monk then proposed that Mr G. i*. Cut-ley be appointed. 'He was pat. riotiu enough to do his best to fall in wi'tih the wish of the meeting. This was seconded by Mr 'Herrick and supported by Mr Field, but Mi: Oatley had. to decline. lie said he had_only two boys: one was buried in France and one was at the front. He really was far too .'busy on his place to be able to leave it; he milked all the year round, and could not leave the place.

Mr Ryder said lie had one boy at camp and one thrown out. The latter yet might be called on. If the board could ensure hiss boy for liim the speaker could undertake the duties. la answer to the chairman, Mr Ryder said he would undertake the sduties temporarily. llie motion was carried on the voices. Mr Field moved a hearty vote of thanks to Councillor Monk for presiding, and to Mr Moss for liis presence ut the meeting.