N.Z. MANPOWER POLICY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23802, 23 November 1942, Page 6

N.Z. MANPOWER POLICY

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER «BETTER TOO SOON THAN TOO LATE” (P.A.) AUCKLAND, November 21. "A total war effort demands the fullest response, not only on the fighting fronts, but in the sphere of essential industry and production. It is this that the War Cabinet and the Government is bent on achieving, and successfully achieving.” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), in dealing with recent aspects of the Dominion’s war effort in a statement at Auckland to-day. “The demands of both the civil and military sections of our fight against the Axis receive constant consideration and the War Cabinet’s policy is dictated by the trend of events,” he added. “We must be in a position to meet all demands. We cannot afford the reproach as a nation that we were too late in mobilising our full manpower to fulfil our obligations. Where there is a choice, it is better to be too soon than too late. “Industries are undoubtedly affected by our progressive mobilisation, but it must be remembered that men engaged in essential work or men who might suffer undue hardship have the right to appeal, while men of 41 and over will not go overseas. “There is a great deal of loose thinking behind the somewhat alarmist statements which have appeared recently drawing attention to the alleged effect on certain undertakings if the remaining personnel liable for service were called up. It must be remembered that ballots for the higher age groups produce fewer men for the Army, because of the increasing proportion of men unfit for military service or held back as the result of appeals. The proportion actually entering camp is now 25 per cent., and by the time the 41-45 group is dealt with, this will fall to 20 per cent. Loss to Industry Smaller. “Industry loses men who are drafted Into the Army, but it is clear that in the higher groups the loss to industry Is proportionately smaller. Those who do not pass into camps come under the direction of manpower officers and are not lost to industry. In some cases they are directed to more essential work; in others, they have the assurance that they stay there. “With a mobilised Army within our own borders, the release of men to meet the seasonal requirements of our primary industries is vital to the maintenance of .supplies for the Allied forces, for our own people, and for our industries. We should count ourselves fortunate that we can effect this release, but the! borrowing of men from the Army for essential seasonal farm work does not mean that too many men are being called up for the Army. In fact, the ballot of the 41-45 age group was made necessary by this transfer from ranks to primary industries because our defending forces must be maintained at a safe level while this is being done. “The War Cabinet has not overlooked the need to keep to the minimum the number of men withdrawn from industry, and has for long followed the policy of reducing the number transferred to the Army by enrolling Women in the forces. As a result of the recruiting effort now in progress, many thousands have entered t..e armed forces to do work formerly done by men. The number will progressively increase. Service of Young Men “The War Cabinet regrets that the exigencies of war demand the entry Into the armed forces of young men of 18 years, but it is from this group and this only that some of the most vital services- draw their personnel. Evergrowing demands must be met for air crews, and scientific work in the aimed forces also demands men with high qualifications. “We all know, or should know, what the leaders of the United Nations have told us—that the splendid achievements of the Allies in recent weeks do not justify > any relaxation of effort; rather do they bid us do more under the stimulus of these successes. _ “I know this country wants to do nothing less than its utmost to, erasure the coming of victory. I feel sure that those who by reason of age or domestic circumstances have been called up last will adjust their lives and businesses to the more onerous conditions which the demands of war impose. “Hardship and sacrifice have, been borne in dark days. They will be borne cheerfully in the brighter days ahead. And we will say, when victory comes, that New Zealand achieved what it pledged—its uttermost strength to the cause of mankind’s liberty. “What sacrifices are required of us in New Zealand are small compared with those so courageously faced and endured by the brave, incomparable men of our Expeditionary Force in the Middle East, and by our airmen and men of the Navy in all theatres of war."