FARMER’S “EASY” TIME

Southland Times, Issue 24838, 2 September 1942, Page 5

FARMER’S “EASY” TIME

Need For Growing Crops “It seems to me that you have an easier time than more than half the reservists who come before us,” said Mr E. H. Mumey, chairman of the Southland Armed Forces Appeal Board, yesterday to an appellant who stated that he had a farm of 300 acres on which he ran 1200 ewes. Mr J. W. Hinchey, secretary of the board (to the reservist): One farmer is speaking to another now. Mr Mumey said that the reservist’s land must be pretty good if he was able to carry 1200 ewes. He asked the reservist if he could not assist in food production by raising crops. The reservist said the land was not suitable for oats or potatoes and he had been recommended by an officer of the Department of Agriculture not to try wheat. Last season he had grown a small area of linen flax. He went out. to neighbouring farms to help with the crops. Mr Mumey: That shows that you have a fairly easy time on your own farm. The reservist: I do not mind going into camp for three months’ training. Mr Hinchey: It would be a holiday for you. When the reservist stated that May, June and July would be the most suitable months for him to do his training it was decided to adjourn the case for review in March. Appeals by two farmers on behalf of farm workers were granted on the farmers promising to grow more potatoes this year than they did last year. “My impression of the Fortrose district is that it is quite fair for potato growing,” said Mr Mumey to one of the appellants. To the other appellant, who came from the Riverton district and who was not sure whether he ought to grow oats or potatoes, Mr Mumey said: “An area of potatoes will give more food than a similar area of oats.”