MANUFACTURERS REPLY TO MINISTER

Chronicle (Levin), 22 February 1947, Page 5

MANUFACTURERS REPLY TO MINISTER

WELL1XGTOX, Feb. 21. "The Minister's lengthy statement on the function and work of the Xational Employmeut Service aureJy supports the recomniendations of our federation conierence ratlier than condemns it," said Mr. W. J. Truscott, president of the Xew Zealand Manufacturers' Federation, vvhen asked to comment on the statement of the Minister of Employment, Hon. A. McLagau, answering. eriticisms of the service. "The setting-up of a separate department, particularly during tlie timo vvhen manpower and oflice aeeominodation, both in the public service and in industry and commerce, is so short, vvhen al! the main functions outlined. by .Mr. McLagan either have been in the past or could easily be carried out by existing departments, wa;> the reason for our criticism and for our statement regarding the redundancy of the Xational ( Employment Service. We have not sueh a g'loomy outlook upon Xevf Zealand 's future, as ajiparently the Minister has, and see no real need now to prepare for a period of unemployment. After having given the new system a fair trial »and after,- in conference, -having examined and summarised information very kindly supplied to us by Mr-. H. L. Boelcett, director of the service, and the man for whom the whole of the delegates present as well as manufacturers generally, have the high .est regard, both personally and from the point of view of his ability, vve simply suggested that Mr. Bockett's serviees as well as those of liis stafi' throughout New Zealand, could ' be better employed elsewliere than -in the development and maintenance of a new -Government department. We. elearly indicated that we have no objection to eupply -statistic-al and other information where it can be elearly sliown that it would be in our ovvn and the eountry's interest to do so. "Regarding our attitude towards full employment, I can only sav that 1 would liave thought tliat* a Minister oi Mr. McLagan 's standing and lengtli of service would have known of our repeated declaration over the last two years, "both publicly and to the Government, of our wholeliearted support for a policy of full employment."