N.Z. MANPOWER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 17 October 1941, Page 4

N.Z. MANPOWER

MEETING SHORTAGE GOVERN ME NT AWARE Ol POSH lON SEASONAL WORKERS lOR < OI'NTRY (From Uur Parliamentary Reporter) Wellington, Thi; I);. Information on the steps being taken by the Government, to meet a shortage of labour, particularly in rural areas, was sought by Mr J. N. Massey (National, Franldm) and Mr W S. Goosman (National, Waikato) in urgent questions they asked in the House of Representatives yesterday. Replying to Mr Goosman, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) said that the Government was aware of the shortage of acceptable labour for seasonal work in country districts and that the posi - lion was likely to be even more dill; cult this year than last year on account of the increased number of men who had been withdrawn from the farming industry for general war purposes. A 1 though the Government was taking all possible steps to meet the situation, it would be prepared to consider calling a special representative conference of employers and employees, as suggested by Mr Goosman, but preferred that in- - organisations should first submit new proposals in writing. The Government would then be in a bettor position to decide if a conference were necessary. Mr Massey’s question was directed to the Minister of National Service (Mr R. Semple), who replied that a general survey of the manpower requirements of essential industries had been under consideration for some time. Appeal boards were being continuously kept advised as to the relative importance of the various industries and the extent to which it was desirable to postpone the service of skilled employees called up for military service. Steps were now being taken by the National Service Department to cany out the necessary investigations of all aspects affecting the utilisation of manpower for essential industries. This would be done in conjunction with representatives of the employers and workers in the industries concerned.