MAY BE BARRED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20618, 20 November 1941, Page 4

MAY BE BARRED

LABOUR TRANSFERS VITAL WAR INDUSTRIES MINISTER'S ASSURANCE (Per Press Association.) TAUPO, this day. “Regulations are in existence giving the Government power to organise the man-power and woman-power of New Zealand and so prohibit workers leaving an industry which is vital to the war effort," said the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in addressing the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at Wairakei yesterday morning. “It is possible that the Government will find it necessary to do a good many things which it has not yet contemplated or wished to do in interfering with the liberties of employees as the war situation develops and the man-power position becomes more serious,” added the Minister. ‘.‘lf the circumstances justified it, I am certain the Government will make use of the regulation, and I believe it will be accepted as necessary by the workers in view of the war effort. Government Will Not Hesitate “The Government does not get an> satisfaction about applying unnecessary control, and does not want to interfere with the liberties of the people any more than it must. However, when it is convinced the time is ripe justifiably to interfere with the rights of the people, it will not hesitate to do so to further the war effort. It is not an easy thing for a Labour Government to introduce the conscription of man-power. We have always been opposed to it, but in spite of traditions and commitments we took the step To prohibit the transfer of man-power in industry would not be nearly so drastic a step. I think that the workers who accepted conscription would co-operate with the Government in the interests of serving the nation. So far the matter has received our concentrated attention, but is not up for immediate decision. I can assure you that the Government will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the welfare of the country. Stabilisation. Required

The Minister was replying to a remit moved by Mr. S. L. Wright, Christchurch, regarding price stabilisation. Mr. Wright stated that 38 important articles have been stabilised and it was possible that more would be involved. While the manufacturers agreed with the control of prices in wartime, they contended that wages and the prices of raw materials also should be stabilised. The‘speaker added that the manufacturers of stabilised lines were limited as to the wages they could pay, while in. other lines, where the prices were not stabilised there was no limit to wages. This might result in the transfer of labour from vital industries to others dealing more in luxury lines. Some scheme would have to be adopted immediately to counteract this tendency. Mr. Wright added that the question of subsidies was involved in price stabilisation. The manufacturers did not like subsidies. “The Government does not like subsidies, either,” replied Mr. Sullivan. “I know the Minister of Finance definitely dislikes' them. However, the United Kingdom has had to resort to vast subsidies and it seems we are merely following- the same line. If you can find a better way, we would be most grateful.”