INDUSTRIES IN WAR-TIME

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20919, 26 September 1939, Page 6

INDUSTRIES IN WAR-TIME

Effects of the early stages of the war on the industrial life of Britain have not been so serious as was expected. Those who have been thrown out of employment by the far-reaching change in conditions are apparently about equalled in number by those who have found new employment. The unemployment position is likely to be worse in the early days of the struggle than later when the country has adjusted itself to the new order. It is believed that every able-bodied person will soon find a place and give his full weight in the great national effort. Hundreds of thousands of places in industry will be rendered vacant by men called to the colours, and there will be an unlimited demand for the products of Britain’s industries.

The position in Britain will probably be duplicated by that in the Dominions. Some dislocation of industry and employment is inevitable at first, but it is perfectly clear that the Empire will require the full-time services of every able-bodied worker if maximum efficiency is to. be achieved. It is possible, indeed, that in some industries there will be a serious shortage of workers when the fighting men are taken away from their usual employment. Therefore an important part of the national scheme should be to make the best possible use of the man-power available. It will certainly not be necessary or wise to continue to employ men on non-essential and non-productive works. Interesting light on Labour’s attitude towards the national effort was thrown by Mr Arthur Greenwood, deputy-leader of the British Labour Party, in his statement in the House of Commons. He criticised Dr. Burgin’s proposals for the marshalling of British industries for greater efficiency on the grounds that they were too bureaucratic. Mr Greenwood said he would prefer to see industrialists and manufacturers themselves rather than civil servants organising the industries for a maximum war effort. That aspect of the matter is as important in New Zealand as in Britain, particularly when the resources of the primary industries are being organised. It is notable, however, that New Zealand has so far called upon leading primary industrialists rather than civil servants to forward the work, and it is to be hoped that policy will be continued. Control simply for the sake of control will not fill the national need; the application of genuine knowledge and experience is all-important.