NATIONAL WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24027, 26 July 1941, Page 12

NATIONAL WORK

PROGRAMME-IN BRITAIN : fsf, r \ t l MORE REGISTRATIONS {ANOTHER 3,000,000 NAMES EMPLOYMENT OP WOMEN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright '(Reed. S.S p.m.) LONDON, July 24 More than 3,000,000 men and irornen will register for war work In Britain during the next five months, announced the Ministry of Labour and National Service. Under the new Government programme there will be registration every other week until men of the 1895 class and women of the 1910 class are reached. A total of 595,000 nion has been registered under the previous registration ■of the 1898, 1899 and 1900 classes. Of these, about 100,000 have so far been selected, of whom the great majority have already been interviewed. About 40,000 have been found to bo already 'engaged in work of national importance or, for a number of reasons, will not available for transfer to work of more urgent national importance. By •June 29 11,500 had been placed on the national work register or transferred to other work. Results Inadequate ~ These results, although reflecting* the willingness of the men approached to play their part, are stated to be wholly inadequate when judged in relation to the total demands. Much more drastic Action may be necessary, having regard to the heavy demands for man-power. Wen in the age group beyond those mentioned in the programme are likely to have to register later on, and it will be essential for employers throughout industry to be prepared to substitute female labour for male labour.

To date the registration of women in the 1920-1917 classes has totalled nearly 1,288,000, and it is estimated that Approximately 600,000 not clearly engaged on work oi: urgent national importance 'will be called for interviews. Encouraging Attitude

During the fortnight ended June 28 over 83,000 selection interviews for women took place. Out of a total of 196,000 women interviewed, over 50,000 have been placed on the national work register, or have already been transferred to other work. This means that between a quarter and a third of the ■women interviewed are found to be available for transfer. The attitude of the women who have been called for selection interview has been most encouraging. Out of the total number so far interviewed less than two per cent disagreed with the judgment of the interviewer that they should be transferred to more urgent ' work. The chief need is for women who are free to go wherever their services are required. Recruits are urgently ■wanted in women's auxiliary services, and a large number is also required in yital war industries. GOOD HARVEST FOOD SUPPLY IN BRITAIN FORECAST BY MINISTER (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 24 Opening the debate on the supply vote for the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. R. Hudson, Minister of Agriculture, gave a survey of the position of food production in Britain. The agricultural situation, he said, was very much brighter than it was a year ago, and, although it was dangerous to prophesy before the harvest was actually gathered, it was reasonably sure that farmers would produce a greater food output than in any previous year'of the present century. Looking ahead to the food position •s it will be during the third year of war, thu Minister said that as a result of heavy losses in the Battle of the Atlantic and elsewhere the total amount of food and feeding stuffs that would be received from overseas was bound to be lower than in the second year. In spite of,a considerable reduction, it .-iliould be possible to assure the people of Britain that in the third year of war the quantity of food, expressed in terms "of food value, would not only be greater than in the second year, but .at least as great as in peacetime, and possibly even greater.. Dealing with the milk supply, Mr. Hudson revealed that consumption by the public was now greater than it was before the war. "This year we in England and Wales are drinking 880,000,000 gallons of fresh milk, compared with 760,000,000 in the last pre-war year," he said. . , , Regarding the Women's Land Army, the Minister, said that .TSOO women ■workers were placed on farms during the last two months. Volunteers were coming forward at the rate of 500 to 600 a week, but thousands more were wanted. . , Land reclamation was proceeding and during the last two years agricultural committees had taken over 150,000 acres of uncultivated or badly-cultivated land. In many cases it was land which had never before been cultivated. A further 2,000,000 acres would be added during the year to the 2,000,000 already tinder the plough. "If the war goes on," said Mr. Hudson, "we shall gradually take the plough right round England."