FARMERS & THE WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1942, Page 4

FARMERS & THE WAR

EMERGENCY PLANS CARE OF LIVE STOCK. GREYTOWN GIVES UNIONS A LEAD. (“Times-Age” Special.) The care of live stock owned by farmers who are in the Home Guard; also the provision of standby engines for milking machines and the transport of milk in an emergency are being prepared by the Greytown branch of the Farmers’ Union. “Your branch is to be congratulated on its initiative and has given a lead to the Farmers’ Unions throughout the Dominion,” stated Mr L. T. Daniell when addressing the Greytown branch last evening, when reports on the steps taken to provide for the care of stock in an emergency were received. Messrs O. A. Cadwallader and G. McKenzie reported that in the Ahikouka district all the dairy herds had been provided for and sufficient power to replace the electricity in the event of a breakdown was available. If necessary a pool would operate for milking. Reports from the other zones in Kuratawhiti St., Papawai, Fabains Road, Crosses Line, Wards Line, Wood Street, and Moroa were considered satisfactory. The Battersea area delegates asked for assistance for auxiliary power for milking as there were no tractors in the area. It was decided to ask farmers having portable engines that could be used for this purpose, to notify the local branch chairman. The question of transport of milk in an emergency was explained by Mr P. Fagan, controller of transport in the Wairarapa. He 'assured the meeting that every effort would be made by his committee to assist the farmers. It was realised, Mr Fagan added, that production must be continued. They could rest assured that the authorities realised this. Only by careful planning could this be done and he was certain that the co-operation plan adopted at Greytown should be introduced throughout the country. Mr Fagan also explained several points in regard to the impressment of trucks. Mr L. Daniell explained the workings of the local fuel and man power committees. Both speakers were accorded hearty votes of thanks. As it appeared evident that the dairy industry had not been provided for in the E.P.S. the following resolutions were carried: — (1) That the Grey town Emergency Dairy Farm Scheme be adopted throughout the Wairarapa area. (2) That the Dairy Inspectors for the district be asked to attend the next meeting in Greytown to discuss all aspects of the scheme. (3) That the Greytown Dairy Farm Scheme be incorporated in the E.P.S., and particulars promulgated throughout the Dominion. As the man power in the district was being heavily called on by the Army it was suggested that it might be ' possible to arrange for men working in the town areas to assist on farms at the weekend. The speaker stated that this labour would be paid for. There were quite a number of men who did! essential work in the towns who had' expressed the desire to help if requir-f ed. This suggestion is to receive full consideration. | Messrs O. A. Cadwallader, L. Thompson, W. G. K. Wiggins were appointed to represent the Farmers’ Union on the local E.P.S. It was pointed out that the statement that all farmers had a store of petrol was far from true. Already directors of factories and county council representatives were unable to attend important meetings.