WAR RESOURCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 February 1942, Page 3

WAR RESOURCES

MEASURES TO SECURE FULLEST USE LORD BEAVERBROOK’S TASK. FINAL JUDGMENT WITHHELD. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 11. That the Prime Minister's explanation of the new scheme for the Ministry of Production represents a distinct advance on the existing machinery is the general comment in the Press, though there is a tendency to reserve final judgement till Lord Beaverbrook is able to get into his stride. The “Daily Telegraph” says its duties are primarily co-ordinary rather than executive, and the object is to provide a solution for problems arising out of the pooling of British and American war resources. Mr Churchill epitomised the matter in a phrase when he said, “There must be someone able to speak to the United States representing British war production as a whole.’ ’ It seems to be a general comment that the allocation of manpower and labour being left with the Minister of Labour, Mr Bevin—though the other powers of the production executive have been transferred to' Lord Beaverbrook —makes co-ordination less comprehensive than before, and the “News Chronicle” points out that great results not inherent in the machinery set up will depend on the personality and goodwill of those called upon to work it. The Minister of Supply, as representing the Minister of War Production, stated in the House of Commons that the statement of M. Shvernik, head of the Russian workers’ delegation to Britain, indicating directions in which Britain’s war effort could be improved, had been brought to the notice of Lord Beaverbrook, who would certainly give his attention to the suggestions put forward. Outstanding changes in a new essential work order for the shipbuilding and ship repairing industry will come into force on February 25. These changes concern the scope and functions of the yard committees, which are composed of representatives of the managements and workers in the shipping yards, and the Minister of Labour’s intention is that they shall be bodies to assist him. The amendments made in the order, therefore, are directed toward giving the committees greater responsibility and tuning up the administrative machine so as to accelerate the procedure whereby a national service officer is empowered to issue directions under the defence regulations. The Director-General of Ordnance Factories, Sir Charles McLaren, has decided to establish in all ordnance factories joint production consultative and advisory committees and is. in course of meeting the trade unions with a view to agreement on the constitution of the committees.