A FARMER'S DUTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 310, 9 June 1915, Page 3

A FARMER'S DUTY.

IIOW TO IIEL'P THK ALLIES. CROW MiOilE ¥001) AX I) GROW MORE WOOL. Tn liia presidential address at tlie annual provincial conference uf tlie North Canterbury brunch uf the New Zealand Farmers' Union, Mr. V. If. Knsor made a special appeal to farmers to help in the 'present crisis. "11l reviewing other Avork done by the executive, during the last year," be said, " the first business of importance was in connection with the sudden outbreak of war. It was i-oiisid-e'ed advisable to assist the Defence Department in preparing the first Expeditionary Force by giving fodder, horses and other requisite!!. This :ippj.al was responded to in a splendid manner, and the Department stated that it bad received assistance to the extent of £SOOO. Spontaneous action of this kind which all'ords an outlet to public feeling is of great value, and 1 take this opportunity of complimenting the lice-president, ! Mr. George Canlner, a'.'d the members of the executive for their initiation of the public appeal to farmers. "When war is raging between the strongest, liest-equipped and most civilised ;uid highest educated nations of the world, and the British Empire is engaged in that war, it is the duty of every British man anil woman to give it helping band in that fight. The. question which arises to each mind is— TTow can we. do it? We cannot all go to the front, men as soldiers and women a? nurses. Some have to stay to carry on the internal duties of a nation, ft is those whom I wish now to ask themse'ves— What is the best we, can do to lie 1 -! to win the war and bring home safely those who are risking their lives in order that those at home may be able to retain their freedom and not be the downtrodden servants of a conquering enemy? Tho partkular section of people whom I am now addressing are farmers. To them I will say—<! row more wool to clothe them. Do not let an idle horse remain ill your paddock, and do not allow an acre to lie idle on your farms. Crow bread and grow meat. The starving people in devastated, war-ravaged countries will want all that the soldiers do not require. "One of the most important factors in bringing the war to a victorious ending lies in the loyalty of the civil population to those in whose hands is entrusted the ear rving out of civil and military government. Any people who are so base as to attemut to make unfair profits out of dislocation of trade and the peculiar conditions arising therefrom should be branded with the same brand as workers who will not put forth their best efforts to hurrv on munitions for the front. Thai brand should be. 'Traitor.' The need for civilians to keep the supply of munitions, food and clothing up for the riien at the front is brought home to us each day as the casualty lists are published, and some near and dear friend, comrade, or son is found to have been slain by tlie ruthless and cruel foe. " Every link in the chain of communication with the front should 'put forth its utmost strength to serve loyally the- men who are fighting in the battle line. We start from the primary producer: we sav to him: Oro« all the products to feed and clothe your army that you possibly can. Pee that every available horse and man are making the soil produce its utmost. Then we come to the great body of people engaged in the transport trade. From the magnates controlling shipping companies to the men who work in the docks, if one seeks to make undue profits on the one hand, or if the .other slackens < ~ " ork on the other haiiil during thi risis, when all must put forth their best efforts loyally, tW'n both the exploiter and the slacker arc committing treason against their comrades who ar£> risking their all 111 the firing line. " Each 'British subject can do a litt'e in this great -fight. Tt. lias been the loyal co-operation of all liritish people which made the nation, and each person now should do some action, however small, to hurry on the victory that must eventually come. Tlie greater efforts we put forward now, the sooner the war will end, and the quicker our soldiers will return to their homes. Tn this respect we have all noted with intense satisfaction and pride the magnificent work done by our New Zealand soldiers, which has called forth and merited the highest praise from our King and leading anny officers."