SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 290, 7 December 1944, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF LABOUR

FOR FREEZING WORKS Heavy losses were likely to be suffered by farmers as a result of the shortage of labour for the freezing industry in the Auckland district, said a representative of the industry yesterday. Labour requirements at the works were far from being met, and concern was felt in view of the approaching peak of the lamb supply, The position was far worse than in December, 1941, when all available men were sent to man defence posts during the Japanese threat The situation was described as desperate, and hundreds of positions.it was stated, still remained vacant At Westfield, about 250 men were wanted, and at Southdown there was a shortage of at least 100. To deal with the stock that would shortly come forward, the Horotiu works required about 100 more. The manpower authorities are exploring every avenue to make men available. A number of Maoris will be drawn from the Whangarei manpower district and it is expected that they will be ready to start in the works near Auckland early next week. Soldiers on furlough and other men who are available during their holidays have been invited to assist.