HOLIDAY CALL-UP

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1944, Page 2

HOLIDAY CALL-UP

TEACHERS. STUDENTS AND CHILDREN. REVIEW OF RECENT RESULTS. P.A. WELLINGTON, May 3. Hon. A. McLagan, the Minister of Industrial Manpower, to-day revealed that the services of almost ten thousand teachers, students and scnuoi children have been used by his Department over the vacations during the recent summer period. He paid a tribute to all who had participated, and expressed thanks to University authorities and other educational bodies which had co-operated. He said: “From the universities and training colleges we brought under direction 2,099 men students and 1,720 women. In addition, 212 men teachers and 558 women teachers were called up to help. These 4,589 persons represented a large willing labour force whose availability proved of the greatest moment in meeting seasonal requirements. These people worked under the direction of the Manpower Officers, ana as a whole they appear to have been reasonably satisfied with their conditions. I am aware there have been a few cases where persons were loss fortunately placed, and I am having any such cass fully investigated, so that their occurrence can be minimised, should a similar necessity arise at the end of this year. In relation to the large number of persons involved, the complaints . either from individuals or from employers nave been extremely few.” The Minister outlined the main classes of industry in which these workers were engaged as follows.— Farming (437 males and 456 females) total 893; vegetable-growing (129 and 513), total, 642; other primary industry (92 and 171) a total of 263; freezing works (388 and 1), total 389; wool stores 335 and 1), total 336; hospitals (apart from medical students) (nil and 146), total 146; medical work (medical students) (241 and 38) total, 279; domestic work (on farms, etc.) (nil and 270), total 270; dairy factories (97 and nil), Gov-toal factories (97 and nil), total, 97; Government clerical (13 and 20), total 33; engineering (109 and 42), total 151; manufacturing industries (120 and 129), total 249; commerce (38 anj <l2), total 80. Mr. McLagan said exemptions were granted to 149 men and 118 women, on the grounds of health, or to enable special studies to pe undertaken by them, or by reason of other special circumstances. There was a very large army of most willing younger workers, who volunteered. from post-primary schools. There were 3,271 schoolboys and 1,958 schoolgirls who gave voluntary assistance, apart from many who assisted in various ways without coming under the Department’s notice. The cumulative total of the work of these young people in the fields and vegetable gardens, if it could be measured in the thousands of tons of foodstuffs which they had handled, would be amazingly great. It now pppeared New Zealand’s obligations would be just as great, if not greater, In respect of seasonal industries In this coming season. It may be necessary to seek assistance again It that should be so, he was. confident the response again would be worthy of the utmost praise-