CONTROL OF INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 29 October 1941, Page 4

CONTROL OF INDUSTRY

SEEN AS DETERRENT TO ENTERPRISE VIEW OF BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS L g "Every effort should be made at pre- - sent to obtain greater efficiency, and f if this is to be achieved it is necessaiy . that there should be greater freedom ; t and flexibility in relation to manufacs tui'inc and trading operations, together with a wider outlook in the direction _ of supplying the needs of most of our - industries which are at present depend ! ent on supplies of raw materials from n overseas,” stated the report submitted . to the annual meeting of the Welling ;; ton Builders and Contractors’ Indusii trial Union of Employers last night, i “It is not at all certain lhat a con- - trolling system will work out equitable as the whole interest of private enterprise may be endangered in the future s by systems of control or similar deferents of production and enterprise,” the - J report proceeded. "It is felt that if j organised sections of the building ;n~ - I dustry w ere fully and freely consulted r they would be able to advise the Gov--3 eminent in such a manner that there ! would be no need for any restriction or c control of the industry. It is the desire - of the executive that the building in _ dustry should be maintained in a state e of efficiency during the war and left i at the end of t with greater productive resources and : with the requisite ability to expand 1o ; < -mit t take the ! called on to discharge in the transient i period from war conditions to those of peace. , j "The year has been difficult, not only e i for builders and employers generally. , s but for the Dominion as a whole. The e continuance of the war is still overy shadowing most other interests and ins many respects is affecting the com,s merce and industries of the Dominion: (i though many industries and businesses n have been disorganised through the : calling to arms of experienced emplovci ers and employees, resourcefulness and L . energy are prominent factors and the e j difficulties consequent on the depletion lt | of the country's manpower have affectn ed our members and brought about a , serious problem in relation to satisfactory staffing. "The war has: clearly shown the need ,j j for unity not only among nations, but , also in relation to sections of industry, and every effort should therefore Vie put forward by members of the association to obtain greater unity among those engaged in the trade. "As a result of the war there has been withdrawn from industry in New Zealand 100.000 workers, and this subi stantial withdrawal must create a de- | mand for labour sufficient to absorb any unemployment that might have ex- ■ ! isted in peace times, and. in fact, has ° also created a very serious shortage e 1 in the labour markets.”