N.Z. MANUFACTURES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 35, 5 November 1942, Page 4

N.Z. MANUFACTURES

Post-War Rehabilitation Problem

FEDERATION TO FORM POLICY (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) OHRIiSTOHURiOH, November 4.

That the council of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation should formulate a policy on the post-wffr rehabilitation of the /industry which should be presented to the Government for adoption . was a decision reached at the federation’s conference today. Discussion of this and other subjects during the day was taken in committee, but it was stated later that the wonderful productive development of industries iu recent years had been reviewed, and it had been emphasized that the manufacturers could not allow these developments to come to nothing.

Delegates had, it was stated, also emphasized that New Zealand would not ibe able to wait arid see what steps' were taken by the United States and Britain after the war, but would have to look to her own interests, and that the Government, which was taking excess profits, for war purposes, should be urged to set aside a certain amount for the rehabilitation of industries. The Government was being supported by the industries in .the war effort, and the industries should insist on the intelligent importation and control of products now manufactured by New Zealand industries. The rehabilitation of fit and 'disabled men was also discussed. General agreement expressed that all industries should take their share of disabled men and train them for some section of their work, and that the Government should avoid putting hundreds of thousands of pounds into plant or factories for returned men, which factories might ultimately compete with others in the country. Several remits were 'before the conference on the subject, but it was decided that the different associations submit proposals for the consideration of the federation’s council. Supplies of Raw Materials. Concern at the depleted supplies of raw materials in New Zealand was expressed at the conference, the following remits being approved:— “That the attention of the Government be strongly drawn to the very depleted supplies of essential manufacturers’ raw materials in New Zealand, and that the Government be urged to take every step possible, both through the activities of private traders and where absolutely neces•sary through- Government-to-Govern-ment negotiations,’ to improve the supply position.” “That whether Government-to-Gov-ernment or group purchasing is necessary to obtain supplies of materials, the federation should continue its policy of endeavouring to maintain the direct contact of members or importing agents with overseas suppliers and also the distribution within New Zealand through private commercial channels, but that in the final issue the primary concern of the federation, on behalf of its various members and groups, must be to ensure that supplies of raw materials for manufacturing purposes are available.” In reply to a number of questions on the remits, Mr. L. J. Schmitt, secretary of supply, said : “We are doing what you ask and we ask the federation to keep in elose touch with us, because developments are in line with more and more Government-to-Government orders. We are not seeking it but the direction is coming from the ‘other side.’ The department is trying to keep to the ordinary channels, but the federation must, keep in close touch with us, because of the shipping position.” 48-Hour Week. The proposed adoption of a 48-hour week in certain industries was discussed in committee the following resolution being passed “that the federation welcomes the Government’s announcement on the adoption of a 48-hour week to increase production, but is of the opinion, that it will be of no effect unless full normal weekly working hours are worked before additional, rates operate.” Mr. C. V. Smith was re-elected president of the federation, Mr. I. Matheson vice-president and Mr. J. Abel, treasurer.