FARM LABOUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 July 1941, Page 7

FARM LABOUR

POSITION OF KEY MEN ATTITUDE OF PRODUCTION COUNCIL. IN RELATION TO MILITARY SERVICE. The attitude of the executive of the Wairarapa Primary Production Council towards key men employed in primary industry who are called up for military service was defined at the council’s last meeting. 1 Considerable discussion took place regarding the question of farm labour and contracting- machinery. Mr J. W. Colquhoun said an assurance should be forthcoming that labour and machinery would be available to harvest crops before farmers could reasonably ask the Seed Merchants’ Association to induce them to grow crops. It was pointed out that there were few mills in the Wairarapa and farmers could not afford to let any of them go out' of business on account of owners oi’ key men being called up for military service. Mr R. W. Brewerton moved: “That this executive committee of the Wairarapa Primary Production Council should give every consideration to any men in key positions who are called up for military service and the council is prepared to appeal on their behalf.” The motion was seconded by Mr C. J. Nix and carried.

A committee comprising Messrs Brewerton, R. W. Kebbell and Colquhoun was set up to consider appeals and where thought advisable, to appear before the Appeal Board. It was stated that those who wished to appeal through the Primary Production Council should send in particulars to the secretary of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, when the appeals would be considered by the above committee and if approved, the council would either support the appeal or lodge an appeal on their behalf.