The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, September 22, 1944. N.Z. MANPOWER.

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1944, Page 4

The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, September 22, 1944. N.Z. MANPOWER.

The hews, that the Dominion is to maintain only one division, for the future in the war docs not come unexpectedly. The change, while it will not perhaps '.lessen the strength of the forces overseas, will enable the long service men to return and the efficiency of the division to be increased by, fresh men. Evidently the doings in Italy of the New Zealanders have won them a high priority in the rating of the forces there engaged. The returning men are, while the need remains, to be directed into essential industry to replace grade 1 men and allow these to be drafted, into the forces. The Opposition continue to question the 'Control of manpower, but their complaints do not amount to very much. They have reiterated their objection to the Minister of Industrial Manpower ibeing a member of the Legislative Council. This is quoted as the main objection; but the Prime Minister is in the House prepared to deal with any representations or criticism, and has done so effectually on every occasion. The necessity for direction is now less than formerly. The country has, however, an obligation further to increase production, especially pastoral production. and' it is imperative that by every available means adequate labour for these industries -shall be available for a long time to come. Likewise the coal supply must be augmented, and certain manufactures cannot be allowed to decline. New Zealand’s war obligations remain until the defeat of Japan. But the urgency of food exports will remain a.t a maximum for years to come. The U.N.R.R.A. is preparing to feed the liberated peoples, and must also be ready to extend subsistence to the populations of Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria after the war. To this humane undertaking, which is the main guarantee against a spread of anarchy, New Zealand must make as good a contribution as possible. Opposition Members yesterday put up a very poor argument as against the control of manpower up to the present, and as regards the future they were no more convincing. The Organisation of National Development, for which a vote was passed, was discussed, and the question was raised as .to whether private enterprise would participate. It stands to reason that it must do so. The Organisation is partly departmental, and it is certain that initiative will in that respect be more comprehensive than in the case of private enterprise. One reason for this presumption is that the Departments will certainly take into account the interests of workers as well as of employers; whereas private enterprise would naturally put the profit factor before any other. For instance, the Organisation is to plan in some degree, a better distribution of industries. Experience shows that our industries have been concentrated by private enterprise. The result is greater congestion of population, with young people gravitating increasingly to the main centres. It will be a great step ahead if there is an inducement offered to locate new industries ir/areas where additional employment is required. It will avert the dispersion of families, and give a better balance to the whole national eco-, nomy. No little objection has arisen when workers have had to be directed from their home towns to distant centres. Unavoidable as this largely has been in wartime, the wider spacing of industry through the country after the war would eliminate the necessity for young workers to leave their homes. Meantime, the Government might in its turn, ask the spokesmen for private enterprise to submit their own plans, if any, for industrial development. It is time that they gave their claims some tangible outline.