Hint of Big Manpower Changes

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 56, 9 March 1944, Page 4

Hint of Big Manpower Changes

Possible Taxation Relief for Farmers That changes in the manpower situation in New Zealand were likely to occur shortly, were hinted at by Mr. W. liorrobin, of Porirua, Dominion treasurer of the Farmers’ Union, when addressing the Alanawatu Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union in Palmerston North yesterday. He was speaking of a recent deputation to the Prime Alinister and other Alinisters of the Crown, from the Dominion executive of the Union. Mr. liorrobin said that the executive had discussed the primary production situation in New Zealand for a whole day in an endeavour to get solutions to the many problems facing the industry. Subsequently they had arranged a meeting with the Prime Atinister and other members of Cabinet had come in. For over two hours they had reviewed many aspects of the situation. • • We were given a sympathetic hearing and spoke very straight about matters, but nothing definite was assured us,” said Air. liorrobin. "We drove our points home and there was no mincing of matters. We told them that farmers were being driven to lay back on production as they were being discouraged.” Air. Horrobin said the deputation pointed out the strain under which the farmers were working with the youth of the country serving in the Armed Forces, helped mainly by the womenfolk on the farm. The burden of taxation had also been stressed and the Alinisters had acknowledged it. However, from wliat was said in reply, there were some prospects of relief. Another alarming situation mentioned was the wastage in the country’s stock capital, and he mentioned the way heifer calves were being sent to the works. If the breeding industry were allowed to collapse, everything else would collapse with it. Air. Horrobin said the Ministers had replied that they were aware of the situation. Information of a confidential nature was given the deputation about the manpower situation. In fact the deputation was amazed that the Ministers had spoken so frankly. The deputation had been informed that, a scheme was being worked out which would help to place a different complexion on the situation. They had felt that the pity of it was that the Government had not realised the seriousness of the position earlier. While it was realised that shipping was a bottleneck as far as fertilisers were concerned, it was suggested that the list of goods allowed into the country might be amended so as to give place to more manures. One of the main aspects mentioned was the morale of the people. The Ministers were told that the farmers, working all-out over a number of years, were subject to war weariness and 'they had promised to look into all the points brought forward, and had made admissions that * they had not given voice to before. They had acknowledged Uiat tlie load was greater than the farmers could bear and that there were many factors connected with primary production which would have to be tackled or the county would be in a very sorry plight. The only regret Mr. Horrobin had about the conference with the Ministers was that replies given had not been specific enough. “Not as specific as we would have liked,” he added.