GARMENT PRODUCTION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 12, 9 October 1943, Page 6

GARMENT PRODUCTION

Services And Civilian Requirements NEW ZEALAND POSITION

A comprehensive scheme having as its principal objective an improvement in the supply of clothing for civilians in 19-14 has been formulated by the National Council of New Zealand Garment Manufacturers' Federations. Armed forces requirements are also catered for. In a statement issued by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, Mr. I. Matheson, chairman of the Garment Manufacturers’ Council, indicated that the iuformation obtained in the recent survey ot "arment, production made at the request of the Minister of Supply, bad been fully considered ‘by the executive members ot the various national garment manutacturers’ federations, and taking into account trade experience and all information available, a full report had beeu submitted to the Government. The garment, manufacturers were tul.y alive to the need of maintaining adequate supplies of essential clothing lines, ami had given serious consideration to the Government’s requirements, fl he scheme, with all that it entailed m the matter of plant, materials, manpower and coordination within the industry, had been framed to avoid interference with the prosecuting of the Dominions war effort. An extensive survey of the garment manufacturing industry was carried out, and in this the federation had the utmost co-operation from practically every firm in New Zealand. It was apparent, uat essential work already in hand would preclude the possibility, of any immcdritmarked change in civilian clothing manufacture. However, it was disclosed that, "iven the labour and certain materials, There-was every prospect ef civilian requirements based largely on the < :1 o. t, ' I “" ration estimates being met to a greater extent in the New Near, and it was on this basis that the plan was drawn ; up. Certain improvements could be made earlier and would be. made once defun .e nriorities were established. The survey showed that there was moie than sufficient plant in New Zealan o terial supplies, there was the eowuuiKmg evidence that, as a result ot incieasui ouotas from overseas this year and with expected increased supplies of eloths from the New Zealand, woollen mills next year, available material wotu.l, w h certain rather serious exceptions which were immediately being further investigated, be in sufficient supply as to malm this problem of lesser concern than that of manpower. Manpower Difficulties. The real proibleui of the industry was that of manpower. The latest survey had served to emphasize that fact more forcibly, n hue u was estimated that 500 males and we than 5000 females were required toDi an all available plant and have it opeiatiiir, at capacity, such full capacity was not necessary to meet all the armed forces programme and the overn m l ent _s 1 ;mated ration coupon quantities. The estimated number of employees wanted immediately, however, was lioO (including 100 males), and if these were not made available the civilian supply position would de The°fi , g t uTe ot 1750 took no account of the number which were always drawn off from industry under normal outflow. Ilie utilization of plant and labour to the best advantage was recognized as an essential feature of the success of tie plan and the maiiulacturers would take every care in watching developments from month to month, on. which experience the estimates of required manpower would be revised from time to tune, me better use of operatives and the improvement of individual outputs were also embodied in the plan, as was the elimination of inducements to engage in nonessential and luxury line .production. . In dealing further with manpower, the observation is made that there aie indications that the Essential Industiy Regulations are not now conserving labour to the garment manufacturing industry as satisfactorily as they did m the early' stages. The view is also expressed that now that military demands have been reduced manpower releases, appear to be more easily obtained, and in many cases the workers themselves have less diffidence in pressing for. release as a matter of personal convenience. It should be realized by the Government officers concerned and by manutacturers xiud •workers that essential civilian clothing production is equally as important as is military production, said Mr. Matheson. “Suggested sources from which the additional labour can be obtained were included in the report. Xue number of girls who pass out of the Raiment factories and who apparently cease to be controlled by manpower officers is stated to be' so large that it does not seem possible to explain it by, marriages or other satisfactory reason.” “The whole plan is directed at fulfillin'’’’ only what are regarded-as the essential needs of the public and the armed forces for next year. The building, up of reasonable reserve stocks is still another problem to be faced, and one of considerable importance.”