THE WAR EFFORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24370, 4 September 1942, Page 2

THE WAR EFFORT

STEPS BEING TAKEN REVIEW BY MINISTER / (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday (] Reviewing the steps being taken in the direction of a total war effort, the n deputy-Prime Minister, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said non-essential industries had been prevented from engaging any labour without the consent of £ the National Service Department, and t all these measures were put into effect j, within a few months and had since o been extended progressively in their scope. "Up to the present time," said the r/ Minister, "more than 6000 workers r have been diverted into essential work and more than 2500 others have been ' prevented from leaving essential work. These figures, however, do not give a f . complete picture, as there are many i ' thousands of others who moved into \ essential work in anticipation of the 1 direction to do so, or who refrained j from leaving essential work because they realised it would not be in the interests of the country. These figures are building up continuously and their s cumulative effect will be increasing all . the time. c Wider Readjustments "The stage has been reached when these will be supplemented with still wider readjustments in order to release men to the forces without, at the , same time, interfering with the main- ' tenance of essential services or prevent- ] ing industrial development in order to . meet still heavier calls for produc- j tion." Mr. Sullivan pointed out that to supply workers needed for a total war ; effort some tasks would have to be j. eliminated and others pruned. Many ( men could be released for the forces as they were replaced by women, and more essential tasks would have to be given priority. Hours of work would be extended, 'if required, and the direction of workers into essential tasks would be accelerated. The employment of women in industry was being extended and some old people who would not be employed in normal times would be brought back into occupation. Fit men who were employed in work within the forces which could be done by women or unfit men must he released for field service. Survey in Hand For a fairly long period a survey has been in. hand of the manpower and supply requirements of the armed forces, primary and secondary industries and essential civilian needs. The Minister stated that this survey would shortly be completed and would' show what'the total war effort can be and what adjustments are necessary to achieve it. "We know it will require further sacrifices and a greater effort." he said, "and we know the people will respond. There will he no restriction or cuts that can be avoided, but where the diversion of manpower, or raw materials, or machinery from less essential production, will strengthen the war effort it will be made. Every man must be just where his country needs him most."