PROBLEMS OF MAN-POWER

Southland Times, Issue 24871, 10 October 1942, Page 5

PROBLEMS OF MAN-POWER

PRODUCTION OF WAR GOODS (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 9. “The purpose of my visit is to see at first hand the developments that have taken place locally and to encourage manufacturers and all workers to put forward still greater efforts in our endeavours to meet yet heavier demands that will be placed upon this country in the near future,” said the Minister or Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, tonight after he inspected Christchurch, munitions factories. Not the least of the difficulties confronting the production of all war goods, he said, had been the problem of man-power. It was inevitable that New Zealand should extend the personnel of' the services and that had meant a heavy drain upon the staffs of factories. Every endeavour had been made to retain key men in essential occupations, but because of the keenness of individual men to serve in the forces large numbers had been released in the past to take their places with the fighting forces overseas. That had entailed considerable problems for manufacturers in the maintenance of output. He had noticed a number of elderly men and women who had returned to the bench from their retirement, and they were doing a great job. Their example was an inspiration to the younger workers and epitomized the spirit in which the average New Zealander was regarding his responsibilities. Mr Sullivan said he wished to impress upon all concerned the vital nature of the work factory employees were undertaking. “Supply is the keynote to success in modern war, and it can be truly said that factory workers form an indispensable part of the working army that stands behind the man in the front line,” said Mr Sullivan.