MANPOWER MUDDLING ALLEGED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 263, 5 August 1942, Page 6

MANPOWER MUDDLING ALLEGED

Curtin Administration CANBERRA, August 4. Expressing the views of the Federal Parliamentary Opposition, its leader, Mr. Fadden, declared that the handling of maui>ower problems since the’ present Government took office had been characterized 1 by Ministerial and administrative muddling deserving of the,strongest censure. He said that instead of preserving a proper balance between civil and war needs the Curtin Government bad allowed the position to become chaotic. The Government had found it impossible to use in essential wartime occupations all the persons whom it had called up, and the power of call-up bad in many Instances been abused. Skilled men had been denied the right to work where they could render the most efficient and valuablei service, and an instance of the muddling was the case of, a specialist optical, worker, who had been put to digging trenches for the Allied Works Council. Men who were not necessarily specialists, but were experienced in various trades and professions had not been placed in positions where their previous experience could and would be of value in wartime.

Mr. Fadden said that the manpower and national service organization needed a thorough overhaul. Mr. Curtin has invited Mr. Fadden to offer specific evidence in support of the charges.