SERVICES COME FIRST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 287, 3 November 1942, Page 2

SERVICES COME FIRST

CALL ON MANPOWER

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 3. A declaration that the Fighting Services must still get priority in the supply of manpower was made to-day by the Minister of Supply (Mr Sullivan) in addressing the conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation. Air Sullivan said it had heen decided to v adopt the principle of the 48-hour week for war industries and many of them were already working much in excess of that period. The Director of Production was now taking steps to create a more even spreading and distribution of work, and to take full advantage of all the available resources by the gradual elimination of non-essential production and the transfer of workers. By concentration of industry and by standardisation they rould do much to meet their wartime obligations. Air Sullivan drew attention to the benefits arising overseas from managements and employees discussing mutual problems, and said that it might bo that a similar course could he followed in New Zealand, which was a vitally 'strategic point on the supply route from America to Australia and the Pacific Islands.

“The Japaneso may seek to out. that supply line by capturing a base in New Zealand,” said the Minister. “Our Army has heen given the job of defending us and this important supply base. It. eannot defend New Zealand if wo starve it of men. “We also have the demands of industry, both primary and secondary, for manpower to produce supplies for the Forces to meet the essential needs of the civil copulation. The War Cabinet and its officers will do their utmost in these circumstances to provide industry with its essential requirement of manpower, but he would be a rash man who would deny that in the circumstances of Now Zealand at the moment the Fighting Services on whom in the ultimate we must rely should be priority No. I.”

In asking the manufacturers for their help in meeting this problom. the Minister suggested the greater use of simplification and standardisation. As examples he quoted the milking machine industry, 'in which by standardisation 25 per cent, oi the rubber previously used

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had been saved. The number of sizes of tin-plate had broil reducod from 90 to six and gauges from 20 to soron. Standardisation in the production of holts and nuts had enabled production to be increased in one factory by 123 per cent.