Students Assist Primary Production

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 56, 9 March 1944, Page 4

Students Assist Primary Production

MANPOWER SHORTAGE FILLED. Wheu, towards the end of last year it became apparent that there would be u, severe shortage of labour in freezing works and dairy factories during the coming busy season, it was decided to employ university students in these industries for the period of their summer vacation. This scheme, however, did. not at first meet with wholehearted approval from certain quarters connected with these industries, it being contended that they would he unsuitable for the heavy work involved, and in any case, unwilling to do it. They would be merely a nuisance and not worth the cost ‘involved in employing them at award rates. In spite of these objections, however, it was decided to go ahead with the scheme and now, after three months, the students have shown how ill-founded these objections were. They showed themselves quite keen to learn the jobs allotted to them and did not grumble at the long bourn they had to work at the peak of the season, nor at the arduous work involved. The high quality of their work has been praised by factory managers and foremen, many of whom have expressed regret at having to see them leave at the end of the vacation period. With their aid the labour shortage has been eased and primary industries have been able to maintain full production. This can be fully realised when one considers the output necossary for fulfilling the increasing requirements for the Allied forces and for export. As the season draws towards its close, the general feeling is that the studentlabour scheme has been a pronounced success and it will most likely be repeated next summer. From the students point of view, it has been a profitable scheme, not so much because of the good wages that they have been drawing, but because it has given them a chance to study industrial conditions at first hand and to see for themselves how the average man lives and works. Hitherto a ’varsity student had little or no opportunity of observing these things and was looked upon as a relatively isolated member of the community. This scheme, however, giving him an intimacy with normal, working conditions which he would not have acquired otherwise, will do much to dispel that impression; it will also give him a fair idea of just how far the theories that he learns at university can be applied to everyday life, and will thus make him a more useful member of societ}'. It often takes a crisis to make one realise just how the other man lives and this case is certainly no exception. The Student Labour Scheme has been a great benefit to both the industries concerned and to the students, and by drawing two important sections of the community closer together, has been a benefit to the country. Tea and Butter Coupons Tre Rationing Controller (Mr. Thomas) last night issued a reminder that teu and sugar coupons 17 to 20 inclusive are available until March 19 and butter coupons 19 to 20 are also available until March J 9.