INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1917, Page 7

INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY BOARD.

A DAIRY FARMER APPOINTED. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb. 2G. The api#rintment of a fifth member of the Industrial Efficiency Board is a concession to the representations made by the farmers. Mr. T. Moss is a dairy fanner and president of the Wellington branch of the Farmers' Union. There appears to be no doubt at all so far as the Wellington and Taranaki districts' are concerned that the enlistment of fanners, farmers' sons, and farm workers lias reached a point where production is endangered. It is true that many of the men appeal, and that the Military Service, Boards often grant periods of exemption. But the Boards deal with each ease on its own apparent merits, and arc not 1n a position at present to give consideration to the interests of the industry as a whole. ' If a ballotted farmer or farm worker can be released by tho employment of a less efficient substitute, the cancellation of a lease or the. sale of the farm, the Board probably will allow time for such arrangement to be made. The continuation of this process indefinitely is bound to interfere seriously with the dairying industry, and must produce eventually a very serious state of affairs. This important point lias already been considered by the Industrial Efficiency Board, and proposals of a definite character arc likely to bo evolved in tile near future. The Board may find it possible to make some use of retired farmers, who Have expert knowledge, even if they are not able to take much active part in farm work. Increased cooperation among farmers may reduce the work to somo extent, and increased n=e may bo made of the labor of women. But whatever measures may be pro- ! posed, the time will still be in'sight when j the drain upon skilled farm labor will i have to be 'topped, just as the drain upon the miners ami shearers has been | stopped.