MANPOWER SURVEY

Evening Star, Issue 23499, 13 February 1940, Page 4

MANPOWER SURVEY

NATIONAL REGISTER ANNOUNCED OPENING OF RECRUITING CONFERENCE [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 13. The establishment or a national register as part of the general scheme for surveying Now Zealand’s manpower was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when opening a conference called to discuss and prepare plans for a Dominion-wide recruiting drive. Mr Fraser also reaffirmed the Government’s policy of a voluntary system of enlistment, and emphasised that every endeavour should be directed towards making that effort a success. The Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, presided, and with him was the Minister of industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan. At the outset Mr Fraser _ expressed great pleasure at the safe arrival of the New Zealand troops in Egypt. It was a matter for great gratification that a journey that might have been attended by the greatest possible danger had been accomplished successfully. In thanking the local recruiting committees for their , work since the war started he said it could not be claimed that the country had put forward its maximum effort. A great deal of work had been done, but it was felt there was need for national co-ordination and cooperation, and that the country should be aroused to realise the position in which the British Commonwealth, and, indeed, civilisation, found itself at the present time. Mr Fraser briefly referred to the report of the Manpower Committee, and announced that there would be no absolutely exempted industry. Its application would bo considered on the merits. In certain cases men might have to be told that they could not get away until they could be replaced. The job of replacement was a big one, but was one the committee intended to undertake. Another thing was that before the manpower situation could be properly adjusted there must be a survey of the whole available manpower of the whole pouplation. That brought them to the question of a national register. Before the economic life of the country, apart from its war effort, could be thoroughly organised, the facts concerning men’s occupations and capabilities must be known. Forms relating to social security were now being printed, and the information collected therein would form the basis of the national register. Concluding, Mr Fraser said the meeting was for considering the best means of fulfilling the pledge to the United Kingdom and other nations of the British Commonwealth and to their Allies.

LOCAL MAN-POWER COMMITTEES. The problem of supplying essential requirements for both troops and civil population was outlined by Mr Sullivan. _ After consideration of the potentialities of New Zealand production it_ had been decided, he said, to maintain the troops overseas in clothing and footwear. This was a new departure, but was being done at the request of the War Office. Such things as drill uniforms, braces, and kit bags, etc., which were not of local material, would not be supplied. The Minister stressed that the inspection system was meticulous, and the' response of_ the manufacturers good, for the quality was such that few rejections had to be made. He_ stressed the importance of key men in industry, and said if they were not retained the Dominion's war effort would suffer. The need for these men waa_ in itself sufficient justification for taking-a national register. In a statement released by Mr Webb, Minister in charge of man-power, he states that up to the present time postponements of acceptance of men for service have been decided upon by the departmental officers of the Army and State Placement Service, acting in collaboration, and as directed in the schedule adopted by the Government of those occupations which had to be regarded as highly important. After very careful consideration the Government had decided to appoint local man-power advisory committees to consider all such cases. The committees would utilise the existing machinery, and would consist of three members, one nominated by the employers' organisations, one by employees’ organisations, and one by the local authorities of the districts covered —Auckland, Paeroa, Whangarei, Hamilton, Wellington, Wanganui, Gisborne, Napier, Masterton, New Plymouth, Nelson, Greymouth, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Invercargill. Mr Webb said experience up to the present indicated that, while a schedule of reserved occupations was necessary as a policy guide, conditions changed so rapidly that there were few ? if any, occupations that could justify complete and permanent reservation. He emphasised that the_ Government would not seek preferential treatment for its employees. Applications are to he declined without the approval of the man-power organisation. Mr Webb also referred to problems associated with the replacement of volunteers in occupations.

AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPERS FEATURE EVENT SYDNEY, February 13. (Received February 13, at 12.30 p.m.) The Australian newspapers this morning feature photographs and articles dealing with the departure of the first part of the Second A.I.F. FEATURED IN LONDON KEEN INTEREST IN ARRIVAL " LONDON, February 12. (Received February 13, at 10 a.m.) The evening papers give prominence on their posters to the Australian and New Zealand troops’ arrival. The ‘ Standard ’ says: “ Australians take up war stations.” The 1 Star ’: “ Anzacs in Middle East.” The ‘ News ’; " Anzac army on the way.”