THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. "Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1943. ABSORBING SERVICEMEN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32301, 18 August 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. "Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1943. ABSORBING SERVICEMEN

The New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation has drawn the attention of the Government to difficulties that may arise when servicemen return and seek reappointment in the positions they held before joining the forces. Legislation was passed providing that returned men should be reinstated in their former positions if they so desired. Since then industry has been widely reorganised and controlled to meet war conditions, and it will be found that when the servicemen return many of their former positions no longer exist. Some industries have been expanded for war purposes but others have shrunken to a shadow of what they were before the war. With the best will in the world some employers may find it impossible to place all their old staffs. Employers will no doubt make every effort to meet the position, but the survey suggested by the manufacturers seems to be necessary. It is hoped that when the war is over most industries which have survived the war and which manufacture peacetime requirements will be able to expand their business to something like the old proportions. Some, however, have ceased to exist and in some cases lack of materials will curtail activities for some time. How serious the difficulty will be and how many men will be involved can scarcely be known, unless the suggested review is undertaken. It is almost certain that a smaller proportion of returning servicemen than was the case after the last war will seek settlement on the land—if for no other reason because the price of dairy produce will be only about , half what it was after the last war. The industries and businesses will be the aim of a large number of men and it is desirable that the approximate capacity of industry to absorb men should be known.