FARMERS AND MILITARY SERVICE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 251, 16 February 1917, Page 3

FARMERS AND MILITARY SERVICE

Manukau Council's Views

At tho meeting of the Manukau County Council ou Tuesday a letter way read from tho Franklin County Council enclosing two resolutions passed at tlioir mooting relative to the operations of the Military Service Act. The letter asked that the Manukau Council should support and co-operate with the Franklin Council in making representation to

the Minister of Dofenca on the subject. The resolutions were to the effect that the farming community was 1 eing unduly depleted of labour as compared with other sections of the community with the result that a very serious shortage of produce for export and an increase in the already heavy cost of living would arise. The Militaiy Service Boards, it was as-k« d, should be prepared to accept evidence from prominent representatives from each county on the subject and, further, it was suggested that a deputation from the Franklin, Manukau and Waikato County Councils should wait on the Minister of Defence to point out the position. The chairman (Or McKenzie) stated thst he could not congratulate the Naiional Government of New Zealand on the foresight it had displayed for the welfare of New Zealand during the warf Many people did not realise that if New Zealand exports dropped T>e!ow twenty millions a year it would mean practically bankruptcy. The Government told them to economise. The Government should make people economise, ar d one of the quickest ways would be to stop the importation of Yankee motor cars during tha war. Then steamers so used could be utilised for carrying produce. In another six months the Second Division of the Beserve would be called up. What provision, he atked, had been made to carry on the farms to keep them producing for the Empire's needs. The remedy was conscription. Any day one could meet retired farmers around Auckland who might be induced to carry on the farm work during the owner's absence He predicted that in two years time New Zf aland would not be producing enough wheat to feed its inhabitants. He did not know if the National Government had consulted any practical men in the country who had proved that they possessed the ability to look ahead into the future. He suggested that five practical men should be appointed during the next fourteen days to consider the question of products so that when any farmer was called upon someone would be prepared to carry on the farm and keep New Zealand solvent. In congratulating the Government on appointing an Industrial Efficiency Board he pointed out that the need for appointing men and making provision for the efficient carrying on of the farms was a matter of urgency. Cr Hattaway expressed himself as in total agreement with what the chairman had said. Cr Brownhill said he was iu sympathy with the spirit of what the chairman had expressed, but lie thought that the portion of the Franklin Council's resolution referring to the farming community being drained more than others wtuld have been better left out The chairman remaiked that there many capable retired farmers living in towns and other places whose services in emergency could be well utilised

Cr Muir thoroughly endorsed what the chairman had said in his speech.. Cr Brownhill: We must tight for our ownselves—never urind the other fellow. It was our duty to bring our own requirements to the fore and not point out that others have more consideration than we have. Cr Bell : If we ourselves were drawn in the ballot the chances are we would not appeal. They would sooner let their places go. The great number oi young farmers are not appealing. He went on to say that he thought in justice to the country someone should appeal for them.

The resolution was unanimously approved of, and on th 9 motion of Cr Brownhill, seconded by Cr Bell, the chairman and Cr Muir were appointed representatives to confer with the Franklin County Council.