“MOST SATISFACTORY”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 94, 3 July 1946, Page 3

“MOST SATISFACTORY”

EMPLOYMENT POSITION OF EXSERVICEMEN MINISTER PLEASED “When it is realised that some 120,000 ex-servicemen were at that date back in civil life, these figures can be regarded as most satisfactory,” said the report of the chairman, the Hon. C. F. Skinner, presented to the quarterly meeting of the National Rehabilitation Council. Mr Skinner was refering to there being only 154 returned servicemen registered for employment as at March 31 this year, of whom 46 were semi-employable. The report showed that there were 402 male registrations in all classes throughout New Zealand at the end of March. Of these 154 were from returned servicemen, 225 were classified as others, three were juveniles and 20 were males over the age of 60. '

“While the figure for returned servicemen enrolled for employment increased by 52 over the February figure, there were 197 cases recorded as at the end of January, and it can therefore be said, taking into account previous monthly figures as well, that the enrolments as at March 31 represent the average number disengaged at any given

time. “Lack of accommodation for married mexj still makes placement in the farming industry difficult, while the dry . season in the North Island restricted the engagement of labour for harvesting. The average number disengaged—4s— represents only .03 per cent, of the estimated total of

152,000 men engaged in farming. The training of- men in the forces for vehicle driving and maintenance has caused a surplus of men anxious to engage in that form of employment. Apart from the position as it affects ex-servicemen specifically, it is of interest to note that the employment position generally is extremely buoyant throughout the Dominion, notified vacancies in industry being far in excess of enrolments for employment. Vacancies known to exist as at the end of January, February and March were respectively 13,439 (5608 males and 7831 females), 16,236 (6846 males and 9390 females), and 17,035 (7.1.06 males and 9929 females). Persons enrolled for employment at the same dates were 542 (524 males and 18 females) 387 (368 males and 19 females) and 402 (378 males and 24 females).

“Vacancies for men in the building industry stand at 1816, or 26 per cent, of the total vacancies notified, and by far the largest group of vacancies for men. The main bottleneck lies in the shortage of building materials.”

Speaking to the report, Mr S. Macdonald referred to the employment of women in positions men could occupy. Many men by their disabilities were unsuited to other classes of work.

Mr Skinner relied that it was true women today were in many cases employed in work which was done by men before the war, but the overall employment position disclosed •that there was ample room so far both for men and the women. In any case the position would adjust itself as time went on.