USE OF MAN-POWER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20619, 21 November 1941, Page 4

USE OF MAN-POWER

DOMINION PLANS EXTENSION OF HOURS DIVISION OF LABOUR (Per Press Association.) TAUPO, this day. An extension of the hours in industry, closing down and tapering off of less essential industry, the wider use of women, including married, redistribution of labour, zoning and pooling of plant, re-allocation of orders, and the prevention of the outflow of labour from essential industries are the main points of a scheme under consideration in New Zealand, according to the Director of National Service, Mr. ,1. S. Hunter, addressing the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at Wairakei yesterday morning. While Mr. Hunter emphasised that the statements made did not represent Government policy, but merely his views on the man-power situation, the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, later stated he thought Mr. Hunter had interpreted the Government’s policy 100 per cent. "There must be more skilful use of the available labour,” said Mr. Hunter. “Methods have been widely examined and discussions already held. We must have a reshuffle of man-power in the country in future. The problem is to get a progressive diversion of labour from industries that can spare it to the industries that require it. The Government does not intend to impose restrictions until they are absolutely necessary, but we must create immediately some form of machinery to implement the plan. Further Measure of Sacrifice “The suggested extension of hours opens the field of the widest controversy. It would be idle to introduce war regulations unless everyone is satisfied that equality of service is taking place. It will mean a further measure of sacrifice on the part of the workers who must be satisfied that the employers are not reaping the benefit. Already a lot of spadework has been done. I can see no alternative to the closing down and tapering off of less essential industries. There is no suggestion that the whole community will be placed on soldiers’ rates of pay, but what is visualised is the unlimited rights of workers to transfer to industry at higher wages might have to be curtailed as a war measure. This is not new, as it is being done in England. There is power in the war regulations in New Zealand to direct any person as to where he is to work, but the ordinary conditions regarding wages would apply. It is realised that a certain amount of restriction on both the employer and the employee will be entailed. I am optimistic enough to think we will be able to do the job with a minimum of interference consistent with the importance of the task. "Action almost must be taken to ensure that labour flows where it is most necessary, while the postponement of retirements must be considered. There Is no suggestion that the present procedure of the appeal boards will be interfered with or that the workers will be expected to work under anything except normal conditions.” “No Time to Fool About”

“This is no time for the workers to shirk by absenteeism or anything else or for the employers to ride the high horse,” said Mr. Webb, supplementing Mr. Hunter’s remarks. “If the trade union stands in the way of our utmost war effort or an employer will not use his factory, they will have to be put aside. A board should take over the factory for the duration of the war as they are doing in England. This is no time to fool about. I would not hesitate to bring legislation extending hours, but it is not necessary, as power was given under the war 'regulations. If an industry wants to extend hours, it can make representations ,to the Industrial Emergency Council. It is no use growling. You have the machinery there. Make use of it. In many instances it is because the employers have not got an extension in many industries. You will get more production in a 40-hour week than in 48 Try it and see. If any of your industries are seriously affected by the 40-hour week, put in your request. I have not known the council to reject a proposition if supported by the whole industry.”

The Minister added it was the idea of the Government to eliminate new awards while protecting workers’ interests. It was useless to fix prices and then raise wages.