BUSINESS v. FARMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1918, Page 2

BUSINESS v. FARMS.

CAIUtVLVG ' . AN mmiiSTKG DISCUSSION. There ws an animated discussion atStratford on Monday concerning . the | future of businesses in the Dominion in j the event of the war continuing much longer. The subject was started by the chairman, Mr. Murdoch, -who, after disposing of the question of settling soldiers on the land, sta-ted that another matter that required the earnest consideration of all was that of -doing something to look after the businesses of those men who were going into camp.. He had wondered whether it was possible to -suggest amalgamation of similar businesses, running them under one management and sharing the profits. He then quoted portions of a letter forwarded hkn on the matter. Probably if the shopkeepers interested Trent into the question they could come to some mutual arrangement to protect the men who had to go to camp. He recognised that it was hard that a man by industrious work should be able to save a little capital and then have to sacrifice all. The position of a single man was not so bail, in that frequently he had nothing to leave and could, on his return, start again. The majority of the business men Were married and had other expenses to meet, and they would see that the position was very serious. Mr. J. Masters recognised that in calling up the Second Division men it was going to go very hard on' many businesses. Still, he thought if they could have one experienced man at the head of affairs they could manage to "rub along" with this labor going. It Was a case of tailing the best they could get. Mr. Dixon was not altogether in accord with these sentiments. *A professional man could turn the key in the door and close down, and on return recommence' duties. They could not dose their eyes to the fact that the farms required looking after. Regarding business, when a matt had 20 men in his empldy he could leave it to one of these to manage, but what about the small nam? Wasn't he entitled to the same consideration? He had just as much interest at stake. They had heard a lot about the last man on the farm and the last man in a business, but the essential fact was that they required soldiers. Mr. Masters said they , could make a man fairly useful in business after ! three months, but he would, not be touch use on a farm within three months.

Mr. E.. Farrott said in his experience really good men were hard to get, and doubtless that was the experience of iothers. The position had to be faced, lit would prove a bit awkward to some, but ha felt sure some would manage to get along in a sort of fashion.

Mr. C. Andrews said it would bo a good tiling if they closed down Some businesses. Was a billiard room a necessary business? [(A voice: What about pubs?). They could conserve labor in many directions if they west the right ,way about the matter. Mr. E. Maxwell said Mr. Andrews had struck the right Bote. The idea of one man on the farm had been mooted, but not beyond that. It had not been suggested to the Military Service Board. There were some businesses that could ! very well be curtailed. The need of men was so great that 110 trouble should be denied to secure the men. In special cases each application for exemption should be decided, on its merits. The position was that many farms were being run by women and others by elderly men. It should be clearly evident to all that the whole prosperity of Taranaki would he destroyed if they did not project the essential industries. It was ;Very patent to all that the milking of coWS would not be of much value if the expert men were not available to manufacture the cheese and butter. The same applied to the meat works. They had no reason to suspect that the Home Government was not sincere or had •asked too much when they desired more men.. The actual production of food was not now so vital as the need for men. That was the position. Men were the essential thing, and farms and businesses would have to make the best of women and other labor, or, if that courae were not followed, they would have to close up. It seemed to him to ■be a ease for amalgamation for business people. This was a question for the tradespeople, not the Efficiency Board, to'decide. After all, what was the difference? Many were not going to the , trenches.. Like himself they were too old, but to his mind the sacrifice of ■business was not to be compared to the sacrifice of life by the men in the trenches.. If they were to allow the last man 011 the farm and in business, :then they were going to collapse, and the work of the Efficiency Board would become valueless. He recognised that ilittle businesses in country towns would have to suffer and probably go out, but they must keep up the cheese and meat industry.

The chairman said he could sec no -reason why similar businesses could not [amalgamate, and in a small town one man might control two or three businesses. They knew of farmers who were managing their awn farms and also looking after a neighbor's who wa» fighting ;.in the trenches.

Mr. Maxwell said it was entirely a matter for the people. The business people would have to consider the matter. The Efficiency Board could not help them. Regarding the farms, it was admitted that whilst farms were neglected the records were quite up to previous years. This he attributed to tho herds being kept up to a standard. But the day of settlement was coming, and they Would have to pay for the dropping back of the land and the neglect.

There was no motion before the meeting, and the discussion closed.