§ 69. Major HUNTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture why Mr. R. N. Dowling, although only thirty-five years of age, was selected as director of the first settlement colony for ex-service men under the Small Holdings (Colonies) Act, 1916, instead of taking his place in the Army under the Military Service Act?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Acland)Mr. Dowling was appointed because he was the best man for the job. A man who has to conduct the farming on 2,000 acres of land as well as to supervise the training of settlers on their discharge from the Navy or Army needs very considerable activity both of mind and body, and it was not thought necessary or desirable to disqualify men of military age from competing for the position if, like Mr. Dowling, they had been exempted from military service. Mr. Dowling had been thus exempted as organiser of agricultural education in the Lindsey Division of Lincolnshire, and, therefore, his appointment does not deprive the Army of a recruit.
§ Major HUNTWhy was Mr. Dowling exempted from military service?
§ Mr. ACLANDBecause his work as organiser of agricultural education was of greater value to the country than his work in the Army.
§ Major HUNTYou cannot get anybody over forty to do the work Is that what it comes to?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe success of these colonies for the settlement of soldiers is so important that we try to get the best men, and therefore we do not exclude from competition those who are exempted from military service.