CALL ON MEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 November 1939, Page 5

CALL ON MEN

MILITARY & INDUSTRIAL SERVICE CENTRAL ADVISORY COUNCIL APPOINTED TO ASSIST MINISTER. COMPLETE CO-ORDINATION SOUGHT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The personnel of the Central Advisory Council appointed by the Government to, assist and advise the Minister of Labour, Mi 1 Webb, upon the most efficient utilisation of the Dominion’s man-power was announced last evening'. The council held its first meeting last week. A statement was issued by Mr Webb expressing satisfaction with the wholehearted co-operation of the members appointed and his gratification that the personnel consisted of men regarded in their own spheres as possessing outstanding knowledge and experience of the Dominion’s primary and secondary industries and the problems associated therewith. It was revealed by the Minister that, over 600 men who had enlisted in the Special Force had not been accepted in the meantime because they were in reserved occupations. Such men were to receive a suitable certificate.

The personnel of the council is as follows:—

The Minister of Manpower: Mr Webb. Representing the Primary Production Council: Mr W. Mulholland or Mr H. M. Christie; Mr J. Roberts or Mr F. P. Walsh. Represent the Factory Production Council: Mr R. O’Shea, Mr Adam Black. Representing the Industrial Emergency Council: Mr W. Marshall or Mr T. O. Bishop. Mr R. Eddy. Representing the Armed Forces: The Adjutant-General. Colonel O .H. Mead.

"From the discussions which took place at the first meeting.” said Mr Webb, "I feel sure this Council will prove to be an exceedingly valuable part of the Government’s special administration set up to cope with war problems. Its main function will be to bring about complete co-ordination between the three councils in respect of manpower matters and to study speci* ally the most intelligent use of personnel. not only to enable the Government to meet fully its undertakings with regard to trained forces, but to assist the Motherland with the maximum production of foodstuffs and other essential commodities.

ACTION THUS FAR TAKEN. “Opportunity was taken to acquaint members with the wide organisation established by the Government prior and subsequent to the outbreak o war and the steps that have been taken up to the present time, with particular reference to the preservation of essential services and industries. Under the voluntary system the Government had received an excellent response from many thousands of men tor the Special Force, but it had been re? luctantly compelled to postpone the acceptance meantime of more than 600 of them for the reason that their withdrawal from essential occupations would have been prejudicial to the public interest. ‘'These men can be assured tha postponement is decided upon on y where replacement is impracticable at time of enlistment, and the Government earnestly appeals to them o continue in their occupations till the necessary machinery can be impte mented to institute a satisfactory sjs tern of replacement. It should be m phasised that men so retained will not be granted permanent exemption, but will be notified that they will not be called upon for military service till satisfactory arrangements can be made to safeguard the work for which they are regarded as more essential than serving in the armed forces.

A COMPLETE REVIEW. “Tn order to ensure that, men wil not be withheld unnecessarily and on the other hand that dislocation f sential industries be avoided, members of the council will take tne opportunity before the next meeting of thoroughly studying the procedure after consultation with the respective organisations. Till this comp e e review has been carried out, it is not proposed to issue formally a schedule of ireserved occupations for themeasoij that the position is being adequately safeguarded at present, and secondly’, continuous consideration is show mg the necessity for constant change in cases where replacements can be et fected or where no diminution in production is occasioned. To publish such a list would tend to confuse sections or the the public who would be hah> le to regard as permanent, provisions which mnv be frequently changing. -Meantime, it is proposed to formulate a suitable certificate for issue to men who have enlisted for service in the Special Force but whose calling! up has been deferred by reason of then ° C “XSIv speaking, the council will apply itself to the study of methods to provide not only for the replacemem of men enlisting for mihtaiy SO * VlC<? ’ but for the training of personnel to secure expansion of production. This nroblem opens up questions oi Q far-reaching importance but the counS feels that every possible assistance should be given to our citizens who believe they should answei the highest call of national duty to fulfil their undertaking at the earliest possible date.”-