Employment

Press, 26 May 1984, Page 18

Employment

Sir,—D. Graham (May 22) misses my point. In the 1981 National election promises, the Government should have stated that there will be an initial reduction of jobs before the 410,000 materialise. Does he really believe that 70,600 jobs will be created next year? Or are we going to get 424,000 new jobs in 1989? Mr Bolger's statement was based on new jobs being created by increased overseas earnings. Since 1981 we have had increased export receipts, but there has been no increase in the number of jobs. If Mrs Wood was referring to the Manufacturers’ Federation, she should get her facts right. It recently stated: “Manufacturing can create more than 200,000 jobs in the next decade.” (“Company Director and Professional Administrator”.) That is 1994, not 1990. Employment predictions for next year are not very promising. When

are we going to get some believable policy on employment from the Government?—Yours, etc., DAVID S. LAWRENCE. May 23, 1984.

Sir,—Mr D. J. O’Rourke should know that, the Manufacturers’ Federation has predicted 200,000 new jobs available by 1990. That is twice what the Government has predicted, this being a conservative figure. These jobs will come as a direct result of Government policies and initiatives that Mr O’Rourke dislikes. The so-called capital-intensive projects are starting to pay for themselves, and that is why Labour wishes to get in at election time — to reap the benefits of these projects. Figures coming out now make a complete mockery of Mr O’Rourke’s statement. As he should know, you have to spend money to make money, to create employment.—Yours, etc., A. B. RUKA. May 23, 1984.