MILITARY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1917, Page 8

MILITARY SERVICE.

POSITION OP THE PRODUCER. CAS 13 FOR Sr. /FICIENCY BOARD. A case for the National Industrial Efficiency Board came before the Military Service Hoard in New Plymouth yesterday, when William Smalhvood Fencott, ploughman, Tongaporutu (Mr. J. E. Wilson) applied for exemption from active service. Counsel sthl the appeal had been made at the employer's instance. Appellant was employed by Mr. Pi. T. -Battlcy, who owned three farms of 11,000 acres in the Awakiuo district. On these farms were 10,000 sheep and 000 cattle, and appellant was one of the men engaged on the farms. Counsel suggested that this was a case for the local efficiency committee to make inquiries as to the availabie labor in the district. The committee was not yet ready with its report to the Efficiency Board Commissioner, and counsel suggested that the case be adjourned until the next sitting. Evidence was given by Ernest Edward Dawset, manager for Mr Battlcy, that two ploughmen, of which Fencott was one, three lads, and two Maoris, one very old and the other deaf and dumb, were engaged on the three farms. Witness gave particulars concerning the amount of work to be done, and said there was insufficient labor available. Fencott was an expert ploughman, and a good all-round hand. He saved the situation during the harvesting, and he did all the shearing on one of the stations. Witness was of opinioh there, was practically no possibility of getting good men in the back-blocks to take the place of those at present engaged. If Fencott had to go, witness thought he would have to reduce the stock. Captain Walker: Don't you think that class CII men should be able to take tile places of those on the farms? —lt is not an unfit man's country. Captain Walker: A large number of C2 men who are unfit for active service are quite able to do heavy work at home. For instance, a flat-footed man, while otherwise fa, would not be taken for the front..—l doubt it I could get men. Captain Walker: I suggest that you approach the Efficiency Board with a view to getting a man to replace the second ploughman, who might be called up at any time, Witness asked Captain Walker if lie would guarantee that the man would stay. The military lepresentative replied that the man probably would if sufficient inducement were offered. Witness said he paid Fencott £2 per wiek._ and Captain Walker suggested that he did not think witness could get good men to do the work for £2 per Wiek. Witness replied that the men at present employed would probably have received more money had they asked for it. Besides, they received sub- • stantial bonuses. Captain Walker: I am given to un- ■ derstand that expert ploughmen are re- ' ceiving £2 10/-, £3 and even £4 per 1 week in lh« Auckland district. . Counsel said he had given the matter > very careful thought., and he did not see ' how men were going out into the backJ blocks unless there was some form of 5 compulsion. I Mi:-' D, McLaren: The Government couiQ not conscript labor without conscripting industry. A very big question ' arises. How are the profits of a private Industry to he adjusted. * Counsel: If the men were working for the State, the State would get the°nro--0 fits. 0 Counsel added that Fcncott's brother d had been exempted three times in England because he nas a capable agricul--1 tura! laborer, The case was adjourned until the sit- , ting at iiawcra. to give Mr Scott, a former manager for Mr Battlcy, an op- ■' xii't'iinity of giving evidence."