ACUTE MANPOWER PROBLEM SEEN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23968, 8 June 1943, Page 6

ACUTE MANPOWER PROBLEM SEEN

RELIEF SOUGHT FOR INDUSTRIES Concerned at the acute manpower problem in both manufacturing and primary industries, the cqupclPofcjthe New Zealand Manufacturer^'-ged®' tion has decided to makp' representa* tions to the Government to ease the plight of many industries trying to meet war and essential civilian requirements. In representing the feeling of - the council, the president, Mr C. V. Smith, said that the constant combing out of men from industry had reduced the number of men exempted to such an extent that it was no exaggeration to say that the big majority of grade 1 men left in industry to-day could not be replaced by the release of grade 11 and 111 men from the Army. Of the grade 1 men retained in industry many were exempted because they were absolutely indispensable. The position, said Mr Smith, would be further complicated if the Government carried out its intention of putting into camp for one month’s training a year those reservists not liable for overseas service. It was pointed out by the federation that to take men out of industry for a month must cause serious dislocation. Not only that, but it was also felt that the month’s training was of no practical use, particularly for those without any previous military experience and for those in sedentary or the less active occupations. If the authorities really considered that it was still essential to have all these men trained, then, the federation considered, the logical and least disturbing .method would be to extend the period of Home Guard training. However, Lieutenant-Gen-eral E. Puttick’s recent statement would indicate that even this might not be necessary. As one of the reasons for the demands being made upon industry—both primary and manufacturing—was the supplying of goods for the south Pacific area, it did not seem unreasonable to ask that New Zealand soldiers unfit or not needed for overseas be released from military duties for this production of essential supplies. Women’s Enlistments The federation also discussed the Increasing enlistment of girls in the women’s services. It might have been assumed that with the reducing of establishments there would also be a reduction in the number of women required, but the evidence before the federation showed that the opposite was the case, Mr Smith said. There was the fact, too, that the generous privileges granted women in the forces was causing dissatisfaction amongst girls whose work in essential industries was just as great a war effort Such dissatisfaction tended to retard production. The federation, he said, believed that New Zealand was over-committed in Its obligations for military service and supplies, and that now the chief danger to the country had passed, supply including essential civilian supply, appeared the predominant feature of the war effort. Consequently, it was considered that the time was opportune for the Government to consider a revision of the Army requirements for home defence and that it might even be possible to have the Army revert to a peace-time basis for New Zealand’s defence, with the more effective utilisation of the Home Guard. The federation believed there could be no real improvement in the manpower position until such an adjustment was made. The federation was not unmindful of the fact that there had been a measure of relief. This, however, was small, and if the present policy was persisted in, was likely to be more than offset b- the loss m grade 1 men from industry. and it had been found that men were not always diverted to the channels of industry where their services could best be utilised. It was claimed, too, that there were many men who could be released but who were being retained by the Army as key men.

DAILY MEMORANDA—Tuesday, June 8. AUCTIONS Whltta, Wilson and Company, at their Rooms, at 2 p.m.—Property. Smith: city Market, Ltd., on Premises, 10 Clearing slate*’ 3t 12 noon '- Gi e antlc