NO SURPLUS LABOUR

Evening Star, Issue 25619, 20 October 1945, Page 8

NO SURPLUS LABOUR

MANPOWER CONTROLLER REASSURING LITTLE DANGER OF UNEMPLOYMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 20. Fears that the release of men from the armed forces and the release of workers from the munition factories would result in tha creation of a large surplus male labour , pool, were deprecated by Mr H. L. Bockett, Controller of Man Power. Interviewed, he said that there should not be any difficulty in placing men. A return of male vacancies notified to the district man-power officers at September 15, showed a total 6,103 positions offering, of which 3,851 were for experienced workers, 1,856 for unskilled, and 396 for youths under 18. These figures were exclusive of the many thousands of positions which became vacant, and were not. referred to the man-power authorities, but were filled through norma] civil channels. By far the largest number of discharged soldiers were returning to their pre-service employment. Many men who had been released from munitions had been absorbed by the same firms on other work on the cessation of war. contracts. It must be anticipated, too, that before many months passed, some of the larger industries, which had been largely non-operative during the war, would provide employment for many workers. Mr Bockett said the vacancies offeringfor female workers at September ]5, totalled 4,737, of which 1,270 were for experienced workers, 2,954 for inexperienced, and 513 for juniors. The main demand for female workers was from hospitals, restaurants, woollen mills, the clothing trade, f and footwear factories. It was anticipated that all girls whose employment terminated as the.result of the cessation of munitions and other war contracts, could be immediately absorbed in essential industry without delay. Fn fact, for some time to come, it appeared that there would be a serious shortage of female labour, particularly hospitals and manufacturing industries.