FARMERS AND THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1917, Page 5

FARMERS AND THE WAR.

THE ORGANISATION OF LABOR. STATEMENT BY ACTING PREMIER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Replying to a deputation, representing the Franklin and Manakau County Councils, Sir James Allen, Acting Premier, said that the' difficulty regarding the calling up of men from farms was recognised by the Department, and the Military Boards had been asked to exercise a careful discrimination in regard to farming and other industries. The Elliciency Board had been asked to deal with the question of soldiers' • farms, where the owners were unable to make satisfactory arrangements. He was not yet in a position to say anything regarding the purchase of farms by the Government, but action was being taken in regard to supervision. The Efficiency Board had been asked to appoint Honorary expert advisers. Though there was no guarantee tnat laboi would be provided, it would be part of the duties of th« Board to organise industries so as to supply the necessary labor. Trustee boards were already authorised, and would appoint a supervisor for each farm, and arrangements for keeping accounts had already been made. It might be necessary to bring women in. There was no power of compulsion, at present, to send men where they were required, and he could not say whether it would be necessary to legislate to obtain such power.