INDUSTRIES AND WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 44, 15 November 1917, Page 6

INDUSTRIES AND WORKERS

THE EFFICIENCY BOARD'S CLASSIFICATION

GUIDANCE FOR MILITARY TRIBUNALS

A classification of industries, professions, and occupations, and of the workers employed therein, lias bei'ir issued for the guidance of military service boards, employers, and others concerned. The classification was drafted originally by the National Efficiency Board, and amended and approved by the Government. It fills a small volume of some eighty pages, ami deals with almost all occupations in which men of military age are or may be employed. . The first step taken by the Efficiency Board was to classify industries, professions, and occupations into four gradesfa) Most essential. - (b) Essential. (c) Partially essential. (d) Non-essential. The next step was to classify workers within their industries according to their importance in the conduct of those industries. For this purpose index numbers, 1 to G, have been used. The grad* ings are as follow:— (1) An expert necessary for the conduct of the industry. (2) Operation that can l>e performed only by an expert or specialist—male. (3) Operation that can be performed only by an expert or specialist—female. (i) Uperation that can bo performed by substituted labour, either male or female. (5) Operation which, provided reasonable time is given for training, could be formed by substituted labour, which must bo male labour. (0) Operation which could be performed by li-inale labour, provided reasonable time was given for training. Substituted labour means such labour as is not usually employed in the particular branch of the industry, profession, or occupation. The Government suggests, in an introductory note, that in considering the application of an individual of exemption or other consideration, the military service board should first ascertain from the classification of industries whether the reeervist is engaged in work that is "most essential," "essential/' '■partially essential," or "non-essential." Then the board can consult the schedule and ascertain to what extent the man, in the opinion of the Efficiency Board, is necessaTy for the conduct of the business. For instance, under Schedule A (most essential) the heading "Sheep-raising" .severe the occupation "shepherd, high country." This sliopherd is classed No. 1, tliat is, an expert necessary for the conduct of the industry. Other shepherds are classified No. S, showing that in the opinion of the Efficiency Board their work could be performed by substituted male labour provided reasonable time were allowed for training. The 'operation , of the classification may be shown by quoting one of the completed classes in Schedule A (most essential): Agriculture, cattle-raising, dairying, s'heep-raising. Index Operator. number. WoTking owner 1 Working manager ......•••• 1 Ploughman, competent to handle any class of farm implement, look after teams, and experienced harvest hand 1 Ploughman, other a Fencer, ditcher ■> Shepherd, high country 1 Shepherd, other 5 Milker • * Harvester, boing ploughman 1 Harvester, other j> Shearing-machine expert 1 Shearer, hand or machine 5 Stockman » General farm labourer j> Musterer w In some notes attached to the classification the Efficiency Board mentions that in some industries and professions the secretary is nlso the chief accountant. In others the secretary is not in charge of the accounts. The accountant is regarded as the more essential operator, and 'has been given the higher index number. The boards are recommended, when hearing appeals from secretaries and accountants, to inquire who is responsible for the accounts. Ihe board ia of opinion that under present war conditions travellers are not required in connection with any industry, but may have to be continued so long as any firm engaged therein employs them.