MUNITIONS MANUFACTURE

Evening Star, Issue 24324, 13 October 1942, Page 2

MUNITIONS MANUFACTURE

SHORTAGE OF SKILLED MEN INDISPENSABLE IN WAR EFFORT (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 13. Reference to the shortage of skilled tradesmen for the manufacture of munitions and the appeals made for munition workers called up for military service was made by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. T). G. Sullivan) after he had completed his tour of Christchurch factories engaged in war production. Ho said that in the past large numbers of skilled tradesmen had joined tho forces, and now that we were faced with the imperative need of properly equipping these lighting forces we found frequently that our efforts were limited to the capacity of a depleted industrial staff. “It has therefore been necessary for me,” added the Minister, “ to instruct various manufacturers that, when members of their staffs engaged on munitions_ work are called up for military service, appeals bo made to tlie Armed Forces Appeal Court in order that tlie best endeavour bo made to retain these essential workers on the manufacture of munitions. The granting of these appeals has sometimes been the cause of some criticism by people who think perhaps that all fit men should be in the fighting forces. Let me say to those people, in all earnestness, that it is only by maintaining our production at the highest peak possible that we will be able to give our soldiers the equipment they require. It is only by tho efforts of our manufacturers and workers who are still available that wc will be able to put into the hands of our fighting forces tho weapons which will make their efforts successful. “ On the other hand, I sometimes receive complaints from munitions contractors of the _ difficulty that they have of convincing appeal courts of the necessity for the retention of skilled workers,” said Mr Sullivan. “In the circumstances it is natural that these boards, on whom rests a heavy responsibility, should ho content only with the fullest evidence that it is possible for industry to put forward. It must he realised, too, that the appeal courts are required to make the fullest inquiry into all cases that come before them, and I am sure that their decisions will be for the highest good of New Zealand.”