NEW LABOUR SCHEME

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1944, Page 6

NEW LABOUR SCHEME

PERIODS OF SIX WEEKS

FREEZING INDUSTRY'S NEEDS

A policy of directing labour to Westfield for a period of six weeks to cope with the seasonal work was revealed by Mr. W. A. Leggett, representing the manpower officer, at a sitting of the Auckland Industrial Manpower Committee this morning.

Mr. Leggett said that in the past season the flush of work at Westfield, and in the freezing industry generally, was met to a great extent by student labour. That tided the authorities over an awkward period, and,- following on that, youths not yet 21 years of age, who had been in the Army, were called upon. That had helped for another period, the filling of reinforcement drafts had taken a large number of men from Westfield.

The beef season was now beginning, continued Mr. Leggett. All available labour from the previous sources was being utilised, and in the emergency directions of men from various industries were being made on the understanding that such men would go back to their jobs at the end of six weeks.

"These directions," he added, "mayappear hard, but, if it is borne in mind that they are only for six weeks, the firms, we hope, will be able to see their way clear to release men. Otherwise, we will have to direct workers out of industry for a longer period than six weeks. These men will go back after six weeks and will be "replaced by other men." Three appeals by employers against the direction of employees to Westfield were heard, and the committee reserved its decision.