MUNITION WORKERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20913, 13 October 1942, Page 2

MUNITION WORKERS

SKILLED TRADESMEN NEEDS OF INDUSTRY APPEAL BOARDS' TASK (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Reference to the shortage of skilled tradesmen for the manufacture of munitions and to appeals made tor munition workers called up for military service was made by the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. after he had completed his tour of Christchurch factories engaged in war production. He said that in' the past large numbers of skilled tradesmen had joined the forces and now that we were laced with the imperative need of properly equipping these fighting forces we found frequently that our efforts were limited by .the capacity of depleted industrial staffs. “It has therefore been necessary for me." added the Minister, “to instruct various manufacturers that when members of tneir staffs engaged on munitions work are called up for military service that appeals be made to the armed forces appeal boards in order that the best endeavours be 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 so be in tne fighting forces.

‘.‘Let me say to these people in all earnestness that i.t 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 qniy by the efforts.of our manufacturers and workers who are still available that we will be able to put into the hands of our fighting forces weapons which will make their efforts successful “On the other hand, I sometimes receive complaints from munitions contractors qf the difficulty that .they have of convincing the 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 be content only with the fullest evidence that it is possible for industry to put forward.

“It must be realised, too, that the task of the appeal boards is extremely hard, and that it is their duty to make the fullest inquiry into all cases that come before them. I am sure that their decisions will be for the highest good of New Zealand.”