WOMEN ON FARMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 117, 16 April 1940, Page 8

WOMEN ON FARMS.

HAMILTON PLAN DEFENDED. REPLY TO MINISTER. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, April 15, The opinion expressed by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. AV. Martin) that the time had not arrived for the establishment of a women s land army ha 6 been criticised by the Mayor of Hamilton (Mr H. D. Caro), who suggested the scheme. Mr Caro pointed out that over five months had elapsed since the women of New Zealand had been consulted as to what service they could render for the successful prosecution of the war. Air Caro said the cutting off of Denmark ns a source of supply lor Great Britain made it all the more imperative that production in New Zealand should be greatly increased. He was prepared to organise a scheme in the AVaikato where it need not become the responsibility of the Government. He did not think it would prove such a difficult task as had been suggested by the Minister. The AVaikato Council of Primary Production had already passed a resolution favouring the idea. Mr Caro said lie had received offers of help from many districts, while others had written to him asking lnm to obtain labour. “Tt is rather peculiar,” ho added, “that, after the Government has asked everyone in New Zealand to co-operate in the war effort, the Alin ister of Agriculture should adopt such a. casual attitude to a scheme which directly affects his own department. To thousands of people the scheme presents their one chance to give the co-operation the Government asked for.” Air Caro said that, even if the scheme was not necessary at present, the time had arrived when preparations should be made for putting it into operation when it would be necessary. In his opinion the scheme should bo started at once in order to give women the necessary training to enable them to carry on when the manpower of the country should become depleted through enlistments. The Waikato sub-provincial executive of tlio Farmers’ Union has rejected a remit that the proposal for the formation of a women’s land army be given the fullest support by the Farmers’ Union