NATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3040, 29 March 1917, Page 6

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY

SUGGESTIONS TO HARBOUR BOARD RELEASING MEN FOR THE FORCES '-""■'■ ■ ■■■■':.TI - ; ' ■• - A letter from the SBitional Efficiency Board was before the Wellington Harbour Board at its meeting last evening. The letter asked for information regarding •* the possibilities of economising labour in order to release men for the Forces. . ■...•' The chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. C. E..Daniell) said that the engineer and the secretary had prepared reports; which had been forwarded to the Efficiency Board. He moved that the board should adopt these reports, ;express its hearty, approval of the'objects aimed at'by the Efficiency Board, and resolve to assist objects to the best of its power; The motion was supported by beveral members of the board and carried. The reports of the board's officers dealt in detail with the works in hand, and the directions in which labour could be economised. The. secretary stated that the board had from the commencement of the war filled vacancies caused by war enlistments with, female labour, returned soldiers, and military ineligibles, and it was intended to follow this course to the end. The traffic, manager's department, with about 200 members, comprised tally clerks, tolls clerks, weighbridge keepers, storemen, permanent labourers, and all others engaged in either clerical or manual labour connected with the receiving and delivery of cargo inwards and outwards, anol the control of wharf traffic' It was considered by the traffic manager that he could use women labour partially for tolls and barrier duties, weighbridges, weighing and marking wools, etc., tallying (under' supervision), Customs examination and bond marking, etc., statistical work and timekeeping. It would be hazardous to -use inexperienced persons at wharf and signal stations. From the beginning of tho war the board, ly paying half-pay to all its permanent employees, on military service, and by keeping their positions open, had done all in its power to encourage enlistments. This policy had resulted to date in ever sixty .members joining the Forces. . ■ j

"With ■ reference to the nUßstions raised by the chairman of the Efficiency Board (1) as to tho wives and female relatives of men in the Second Division being approached with a view to their filling temporary vacancies, and (2) as to' the' recalling to duty of officers retired on suDernnuation," added the secretary, "I would suggest that the board affirms its approval' of * both rourses as a matter of princiole, leaving the special application thereof to its chairman and executive officers as the partioulnr need arises.. The,retired list at present comprises twelve names, nnd of thrso probably not more than half' "nnl'l be considered as fit or available for resumption of active dutv." ;

The, Engineer's ronort indicated that some small economies of labour omild be effected in several directions. The board, however, had already postponed works,that were not"of an urgent character. A fen , women might he emploved in the lighter duties aboutthe wharves.