Definite Plan In Train For Womanpower

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1942, Page 2

Definite Plan In Train For Womanpower

Many girls have not yet registered. Claiming that the authorities were pursing a definite plan, Mr. F. H. Muirhead, district manpower officer for Taranaki, yesterday commented on points raised in Saturday's leading article in the Daily News entitled "Use of Womanpower." The whole theme of the article, he said, appeared to be apprehension concerning use of women's services to the best advantage, and the rights of employers who might be affected. "My advice to those concerried," Mr. Muirhead observed, "is to take matters philosophically, because there is a definite plan and it will be carried out intelligently with due regard to all the circumstances affecting the persons concerned and to the welfare of the community, including suitability, willingness, financial aspects, effect on industry, and the need to preserve avenues of employment for demobilised soldiers; always keeping in mind the more pressing need to get the maximum service necessary to win the war." Framework Regulation. Referring to the National Service Emergency Regulations, 1940, amendment No. 8, which came into operation on January 10, 1942, and dealt with national service outside the armed forces, Mr. Muirhead explained that this was the framework for the application of all civilian labour to the best advantage. The regulations were novel, he said, in that for the first time in New Zealand there was control over the use of labour. Naturally, in such circumstances great caution must be exercised in their administration with the object of gaining experience and considering possible effects. Up to the present in Taranaki this control had been applied mostly in the • case of men, but as more men were required for the armed forces it would be increasingly necessary to make use of women's services. One of the dominant factors in applying the regulations would . be to ensure that there was the least possible disturbance in the lives of individuals or activities in which they were engaged. • 1 The greatest need, Mr. Muirhead stated, was for women in the armed forces and, in Taranaki in particular, for land girls. Apart from those occupations there were many avenues of employment _ for women in undertakings declared essential, but no attempt would be made to direct labour to them compulsorily . unless the time arrived when adequate personnel could not be secured voluijtarily. Points Discussed.

With the object of clearing up some misconceptions Mr. Muirhead made the following points: — 1. All women volunteers for the armed forces and the Women's . Land Corps were recruited, he explained, through the Women's War Service Auxiliary, which 6ubmitted . applications to the district * manpower officer. He decided whether or not the applicants " could , be made ' available, but even if he decided they were not available the applications were stiil forwarded to Wellington for further consideration. 2. Women between the ages of 18 and 45 years were eligible for service in the armed forces, it was explained, but those under 21 years must produce the consent of parents or guardians. This service, Mr. Muirhead stated, was quite distinct from part- time service in the W.W.S-A., which was purely a voluntary organisation, the members of which assisted in many useful spheres as occasion required. ; b.: r.-' 3. An employer could appeal to an armed forces appeal board after a female employed had received notice to report for military duties. The question of safeguarding employers in this respect was receiving further consideration, Mr. Muirhead said. Girls who might be directed. to undertake work of national importance outside the armed forces had the right to appeal to manpower (industrial) committees, and employers had a similar x-ight of appeal. "Many Have Not Registered." 4. Girls who had enlisted for the arm- " ed forces but who had not reported for duty were required to register with the district manpower officer if their ages i were 20 to 23 years inclusive, it was explained. That obligation also applied * to married women, to all women reaching the age of 20 years, and to members of the Maori race. "It is obvious that many girls have not registered," Mr. Muirhead said. "Steps are being taken to check the position, so those who have failed to register will be well advised to do so now." 5. The fact that women of age groups ranging from 20 to 23 years inclusive were registered did not necessarily mean > that they were the only persons who could be directed to work of a more essential nature. It might be found that women of other ages would be more suit- • able for particular positions, Mr. Muirhead stated, and there was authority under the regulations so to direct them. The object of having certain age groups registered was merely to establish & convenient pool of available labour. 6. If a woman was already replacing a man serving in the armed forces it was a factor that had to be taken into account, Mr. Muirhead said, but, obviously, it could not be a deciding factor in any question of transfer. There were many employers who would be well advised to train girls now for duties for which male employees might not be available as time went on. In this connection it was surprising, he commented, how well some women in other districts were . performing duties that so far had not been attempted by women at New Plymouth.