WOMEN IN THE FORGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1943, Page 4

WOMEN IN THE FORGES

When women were taken into branches of the Armed Forces the intention was to release men either for more active service or to occupy key positions in essential industries. There is no doubt that the plan proved successful and that the work which women have been able to perform in the Army, Air Force, and Navy has been of considerable help to the country. The question of whether the transfer of women from civil occupations, both in commerce and industry, to the Armed Forces has exceeded reasonable bounds, having regard to the needs of civil occupations, has now been raised. The New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation, while appreciating the part that women have played in releasing key men, suggests that there are indications already that more women have been taken into the forces than can be efficiently employed, with a consequent wastage of woman-power. On the other hand, there are many empty benches and idle machines in factories. The viewpoint of the manufacturers is supported by the National

Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, which views with concern the grave shortage of female workers in secondary industries and urges the Government to make a complete investigation into the utilisation of women in the Armed Forces. The maintenance of an exact balance between civil and military man-power and woman-power needs has always been a difficult matter. It is possible that, in an endeavour to meet emergency conditions, women were rushed into uniform without due regard for civil requirements, and it is also possible that a number of these women would be able to give better service to the country if they were released from the Armed Services. That, after all, must be the test —the value of the service an individual gives. Whether the service is given in a uniform or in civilian dress is not really material. The best way of overcoming any lack of balance as between the Armed Forces and industry is to make the investigation suggested and act upon the results of the investigation.