Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1942. POST-WAR PUZZLES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 August 1942, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1942. POST-WAR PUZZLES.

RATIONAL endorsement of the tribute paid by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) to the services given by members of the War Council, will be accompanied by agreement that there was no cause for the Council’s continued existence. There is scope for further dwindling of administrative authorities regarding the war effort, the number of Ministers, Controllers, Boards and regulations now being such as to cause confusion. The cost must be heavy. The official tendency however is to increase rather than lessen these “bosses,” and it may be expected, that further appointments will be duly announced. and avenues of control extended.

What is done in Britain appears to be the guiding principle for New Zealand. To some extent this is commonsense, as it is well to profit from the experience of others. However, the conditions in Britain and New Zealand are far from parallel. What is desirable in Britain, is not necessarily so in the Dominion. Where it would bo well to emulate the Motherland is in the attention being paid to post-war planning, to deal with the great problems that must arise. Apart from an occasional reference to rehabilitation, little or nothing is heard in New Zealand, about post-war schemes and procedure. Britain is already busy preparing for demobilisation needs, with unexpected changes in policy proposed, particularly where industries are concerned. The first of the Acts imposing conscription, the Military Training Act of 1939, by which after the war employers were to reinstate where possible workers who had been called up, is to be allowed to lapse.

Mr. Bevin, a Labour leader by the way, told the Commons recently that new legislation would be Framed to meet the postwar circumstances. As regards reinstatement, the Government realises that many jobs have ceased to exist through the concentration of industry and for other reasons. There are also men and women who would not wish to go back to prewar positions or who, having been in their own business, have no job to which to return. One plan being examined is a system of special bonuses to help men and women on return to civil life. These would supplement the post-war pay credits and normal demobilisation grants, and would be designed to enable people to start in business, to buy small holdings or be trained For positions or trades. Anol her point being investigated is the reinstating of .workers not in their pre-war positions but in the position they would have reached had their employment not been interrupted.

New Zealand law compels the reinstatement of an employee if he so desires, and this is but fair. Such re-employment will not alwavs be available, or easy, and may

mean creating unemployment among nonservice classes. This problem should be faced now. Women’s future place in national industries is another matter requiting attention. The end of the last war saw women entrenched industrially where they had previously seldom trod. The end of this campaign will find them in a stronger position. This competition with male workers must lead to national difficulties. The war debt with consequent permanent heavy taxation, will have serious effect on industrial enterprise, and it will be necessary to minimise costs as far as is practicable. Wages must be maintained it prices are. Generally, post-war planning is Full of problems, and the task of solving these cannot be started too soon, or too adequately. Here is an opportunity for surplus administrators.