NOVEL PROPOSITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1917, Page 5

NOVEL PROPOSITION.

TO SAVE SECOND DIVISION MEN. * DRAW ON UNITED STATES. Christclmrch, May 24.' At the Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union to-day a rather novel proposition with regard to the supply of men for soldiers was contained in in Ashburton remit, •tyhich read: "That we ask the Government to ascertain if ; t bo possible to make arrangements with the War Office to get sufficient men from the United States when our First Division are all called up so that the Second Division would not bo needed." The mover said that when 10 per cent, of our manhood were gone that should lie the limit. He would not prevent' die Second Division men front enlisting, bnt conscription should not be enforced against them. America could put mon in the field quicker than New Zealand, and her wounded, if sent back to the States, would not be a drain on the food resources of Britain. After some discussion the remit was withdrawn. Other remits were carried as under; "—"That the Government be urged to grant men in charge of teams exemption from attendance at territorial "amps for the duration of the war"; "that the conference use its influence to assist returned soldiers back to their occupations or to go on the land"; "that the Government should provide allowances to reservists breaking down in training until their health is restored, or regular employment secured"; "that tve urge the immediate removal of the i": utter-fat tax." It was agreed to urge the removal of the excess profits tax a 8 applied to farmers, and protest against any proposal to levy an export tai>. The proposal to inaugurate a producers' shipping company w'as supported. ... It was decided to urge the j Government to tnko measures to secure further shipping accommodation for frozen produce and to make the commandeered price of wheat on trucks instead of f.0.b.,