INDUSTRY IN WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21584, 21 November 1941, Page 4

INDUSTRY IN WAR

LABOUR DISTRIBUTION OUTLINE OF SCHEME EXTENSION OF HOURS ROTORUA, Thursday “We must have a reshuffle of manpower. The problem is to get progressive diversion of labour from industries that can spare it to industries that require it,” said the Director of National Service, Mr J. S. Hunter, who addressed the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at Wairakei today. He said a scheme was under consideration in New Zealand, the main points of which were an extension of hours in industry, the closing down or tapering off of less essential industries, a wider use of women, including married women, redistribution of labour, zoning and pooling of plant, reallocation of orders, and the prevention of the outflow of labour from essential industries. “The extension of hours opens a field of widest controversy,” said Mr Hunter.” It will mean further sacrifice on the part of workers, who must be satisfied employers are not reaping the benefit. “I can see no alternative to closing down or tapering off less essential industries,” continued Mr Hunter. “There is no suggestion that the whole community will be placed on soldiers’ rates of pay, but what is visualised is that the unlimited rights of workers to transfer to an industry with higher wages might have to be curtailed as a war measure. Action also must be taken to ensure that labour flows where it is most necessary, while the postponement of retirements must be considered.” The Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, said Mr Hunter had interpreted Government policy 100 per cent. He added that it was the idea of the Government to eliminate new awards, while protecting workers’ interests. It was useless to fix prices and then raise wages.