NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15938, 27 June 1917, Page 7

NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

jrEETING THE FARMERS' WANTS

LABOCR INFORMATION BUREAU

The possibility of a shortage of farm labour being experienced lias not been overlooked by the National Efficiency Board, and steps have been taken by tho Commissioner for the Canterbury District, Mr J. A. Frostick, to reduce, as "far as possible, the difficulties in the

matter. Mr Frostick informed a representative of "The Press" that there has been established a bureau of information regarding availablo labour, and that the first of a series of weekly lists giving t ' lo nnmes mea have voluntarily registered as being irillina find ablc to undertake farm work has boon sent out to the chairmen 'of the 51 District Committees in the Canterbury Military District. Each applicant for employment is given a permanent number on the list, so that, in the ovent of any man obtaining emtdoyment, the chairman of each district will be advised to strike the name corresponding to tho number off his list. Tho list sent out last Saturday contained 45 names, and included the names of men willing and able to manage farms, and all havo had experience of farm work. In addition to these man, who, of course, will work for wages, tho Commissioner has received n fairly large number of voluntary offers from retired farmers, and from others with experience of farm work, who aro willing to givo either temporary service, or advice, in connexion with sheep-farming, field-grass sowing, mustering, the commercial side of farming, or tho organisation of farms, or farm work. Footnotes to tho list ask that when a man whose name is on the list is found employment in any district the chairman should at once communicate tho fact to tho secretary to the Commissioner, and then tho other chairmen will bo advised that this particular man is no longer available. Farmers who want labour, or any information relating to tho farming industry, aro asked to communicate with Mr E. P. Burbury, the honorary advisor on agriculture to tho Commissioner. In a printed memorandum to committees of advice there is included a form to bo filled up by farmers who rcquiro farm labour. Copios of this form are to be sont to every farmer in tho Canterbury Military District, and if a farmer does not fill in tho form it will bo assumed that he does not roquiro assistance: on the other hand, if he fills it in he will be committed to take the number of men ha applies for. Tho memorandum above referred to contains full information regarding the District Committees of Advice, tho Executive, or Group Committees, and tho General Council for each military district.

UTILISATION OF WASTE PRODUCTS. The National Efficiency Board is also instituting an enquiry relativo to the utilisation of wast© products, and a circular is being sent out to manufacturers and others requesting replies to the following quostions:—(l) What raw material do you use which leaves, or creates, a wasto, and which you aro at prosont unable to utilise? (2) Do you Know of any process "by which similar •waste is converted into a marketable article? If so, "what," and where is it used? (3) Have you anv suggestions to make to the National Efficiency Board for tho utilisation of wasto materials, or waste products of any kind, whether for your own trade, or any other trade or industry? THE LABOUR QUESTION. Arising out of a question rogarding the Board's proposals in dealing with tho question of labour generally, Mr Frostick informed the reporter that his policy would be, in tho matter of substitute labour, to employ men, failing men, then boys, and failing boys, then women. Tho Board had hundreds of offers from women, but it desired itmade clear that these offors will not bo accepted till tho supply of available men and boys has been exhausted. "When tho time conies to dilute labour," Mr Frostick went on to say, by the employment of women, or other persons to tako tho place of men engaged in military service, it shall bo wade impossible for employers to make profit out- of tho exchange. It must be equal pny for equal work, quality and quantity considered. lam confident that there is no desifo to attack trade unions, or trado union principles, or awards of the Court, bv making uso of the .fl&tional necessities to that end. It must be distinctly understood, if it should become necessary to suspond any of the present conditions to moot national needs, that tho representatives of trade unions will bo advised as to what is nocessary, and will ho consulted ®s to thb best method to bo adopted, *>th due_regard to tho maintenance of wade Union principles, with tho view, also, of providing whatever safeguards m av be considered necessary to mako it "y clear that, at tho conclusion tho war, tho conditions ruling through recognised trado union organisations, and the awards of tho Court, must ho resumed."

ELLESMERE ADVISORY

COMMITTEE

$0 Ellcsmero County Advisory Committee to tho National Efficiency Board fflefc at Lceston on Monday, when there wore present:—Messrs J. Boag, jun. (chairman), A. J. Inwood ,(hon. secreT. A. Stephens, J. Storrv, J. gmwngham, W. T. Fulton, f . J. Holley, and W. Scott. Tho Commissioner of Crown Lands wote in reply to a letter received Prom toe committee, stating that the Government had approved of instructions given to Mr Ilollev to proceed *>th tho work of Bowing down portions of the Leeston settlement in wheat. Mr J. A. Frostick, Commissioner for Canterbury Military District, replying to a letter from tho committee convoying a resolution urging the waiving 6f cropping restrictions in leases to enable farmers to eow as much wheat *8 possible, Said he thought tho recommendation should go through the National Efficiency Board at its next Monthly meeting, with a view of maka national recommendation on the Hbject. discussion it was agreed that chairman and Mr Cunningham MOttld interview Mr Frostick to-day, and give him eertaiti information asked for.