State Control Of Workers May Have To Be Tightened

Northern Advocate, 20 November 1941, Page 6

State Control Of Workers May Have To Be Tightened

[Special to "Northern Advocate"] WAIRAKEI, This Day. The Minister for Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan), addressing the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation yesterday said that regulations were in existence giving the Government power to organise the manpower and womanpower of New Zealand and to prohibit workers leaving an industry which was vital to the war effort. “It is possible 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,” he said. “As the war situation develops and the manpower position becomes more serious, if circumstances justified it I am certain the Government would make use of the regulation and I believe it would be accepted as necessary by workers in view of the war effort. When Time Is Ripe “The Government does not get any satisfaction about applying unnecessary control and does not want to interfere with the liberties of the people

any more than it must. However, when convinced that the time is ripe to interfere with the rights of the people it will not hesitate to do so to further the war effort. “It was not an easy thing for a Labour Government to introduce the conscription of manpower. We have always been opposed to it, but in spite of traditions and commitments we took the step. “To prohibit the transfer of manpower in industry would not be nearly so drastic a step. 1 think the workers, who accepted conscription, would cooperate with the Government in the interests of serving the nation.” Standardisation Mr. Sullivan was replying to a remit moved by Mr. S. L. Wright, of Christchurch regarding price stabilisation. Mr. Wright said 38 important articles had been stabilised and it was possible more would be involved. While manufacturers agreed with control of prices in wartime, they contended that wages and prices of raw materials also should be stabilised. The speaker added that manufacturers of stabilised lines were limited as to the wages they could pay, while in other lines where prices were not stabilised there was no limit to wages. This might result in the transfer of labour from vital industries to others dealing in more luxury lines. Some scheme would have to be adopted immediately to counteract this tendency. Dislike Subsidies Mr. Wright added that the question of subsidies was involved in price stabilisation. Manufacturers did not like subsidies. “The Government does not like subsidies either,” replied Mr. Sullivan. “1 know the Minister for Finance definitely dislikes them. However, the United Kingdom had to resort to vast subsidies, and it seems we are merely following the same line. If you can find a better way we shall be most grateful.”