SKILLED WORKERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24825, 23 February 1944, Page 4

SKILLED WORKERS

USE AS LABOUREBS WESTFI ELD AND GARDENS The anomalous position of highly, skilled workmen being sent to labouring jobs while they are urgently required at their own trades has arisen in Auckland. It has been caused by the manpower division of the National Service Department directing to Westfield and the Government vegetable gardens many of the men called for one month's Territorial training.

In a considerable number of cases the men are normally employed in industries vitally concerned with the prosecution of the war. They include engineers motor mechanics engaged on the refitting of combat vehicles, building tradesmen connected with defence work and others. Many of them aia men whose occupations were deemed to be so essential to the Dominion's war effort that appeal boards granted sine die adjournments when their employers sought the retention of their services. Two Separate Tribunals

When the men were first called for Territorial service and it was decided that they should be used on farms- the appeals were heard by the armed forces appeal boards. Now that these workers have been notified by manpower direction orders that they are to go to Westfield or Patumahoe, the way has been opened for them to lodge "appeals to be heard by the Auckland Manpower (Industrial) Committee. A number of them, several of whom did not lodge personal appeals in the first instance, nave taken advantage of the additional right that has been presented to them. Some employers stated yesterday that the maze of directions, instructions and appeals were rapidly creating a ridiculous position. With two separate tribunals operating on appeals against what was virtually the one call for service, conflicting official opinions could result regarding the need for a man to remain in his normal work. Matter of Priorities

Surprise was expressed that,.after all the official statements that had been made emphasising the desirability ,of workers in key positions remaining in their own trades, the manpower office should send skilled men to do a labourer's job for even one month. The directions could be understood where unskilled labour was concerned, but there was such a shortage of trained workers in important industries that not one of them could be spared for a month. It was also suggested that a thorough comb-out of non-essential industries might provide most of the men required at Westfield and in the gardens.

"It is all a matter of priorities," said the manpower officer, Mr. C. G. S. Ellis, yesterday when explaining the position. "We have been committed to fulfil large food orders for the troops and the work has to be done expeditiously. The firms concerned had already anticipated the loss of these men for a month, expecting that they would go to the harvesting scheme, and the fact that they have been diverted to the freezing and vegetable production work does not cause any greater dislocation. It is realised that there is an unavoidable amount of dislocation in some of the larger firms, but the manpower office has met this as far as possible by spreading the call-up of a firm's employees over a number of months." "Exactly what are the non-essential industries to-day?" asked Mr. Eliss, when referring to the suggestion for a comb-out. "All industries are essential to the life of the community to some extent and here again it is al 1 a matter of priorities."

LOCAL AND GENERAL Schoolboy Workers One hundred Auckland Grammar School boys were employed during.the week-end on the urgent work of packing preserving jars at the Penrose glassworks. The boys, who worked an eight-hour day, were paid rates ranging from Is 6d to 2s an hour. They were paid at the school yesterday National Savings National war savings in the Auckland postal district last week totalled £14,325, of which sum £6149 came from country sub-centres, of which 39 reachr-d their quota for the'week.. Kohukohu is the latest town to reach its objective for the year and Broadwood has now more than doubled the allocation for that area. Papakura Camp Gardens Now about four years old, Papakura mobilisation camp is as neat in its appearance as it was when it was first cleared and planted in shrubs and flowers after its opening. The administrative buildings are surrounded by well-kept lawns and gardens filled with flowers, the entrance to the camp. even after Monday night's storm, being one of the prettiest of any military establishment in country. Appeal for Rubber To supply battery sfets for the troops in the Pacific war zone, 15 tons of waste rubber a week have been called for in New Zealand. A drive for the collection of old tyres and .tubes in the area between Auckland and Kaitaia will be inaugurated by the Waste Reclamation Committee on February 28 and for the purpose an Army truck lias been placed at the disposal of Mr. W. Higgins, the organiser. Crane-drivers' Attitude f An inquiry- as to the attitude taken by crane-drivers employed by the j Auckland Harbour Board during the stoppage of work on the wharves last week was made by Mr. H. Turner at yesterday's board meeting. _ Various persons had made the suggestion, said Mr. Turner, that the men had refused to operate their cranes. "That is not correct," said Mr. D. Holderness, tliQ superintendent. "The men did not refuse. to work, but actually were never called upon.'* Fires in Camping Grounds The Manukau County Council decided yesterday to frame a by-law compelling proprietors of camping grounds in its county area to provide some firefighting equipment. It was stated that it was not proposed to insist on standpipes and noses. However, _some type of approved fire-fighting equipment was i necessary, as there had been a ••case at one camping ground of 100 tents j and caravans being in a confined | space. There was a danger of nre when campers used petrol lights ana j. oil cooking appliances. [, Mount Eden Rates "Ratepayers are to be congratulated j on this fine effort," said the Mayor or Mount Eden, Mr. R. J. Mills, when ■ record collection of rates was reported ,• at a meeting of the council last nignt. j The report showed that the total rate received before the imposition oi ttie penalty was £75,853, or 97.3. per cent of the amount struck. Illustrating the value of various depots which had beer established to facilitate payment, n was shown that during two days, w ratepavers attended a depot at £>< moral and paid in £2302. Jlhe_sum o ; £IOBO was received from <6 ; j during one day at Stokes Road, Eden. Acute Stafl Shortage Evidence that there was ou!y o»« man left in each of three departments and that a junior salesman assisted . ? whichever department he was j quired was given before the AucUan Manpower (industrial) Committee yes terday when F. S. lyler, Limited,Pj pealed against the manpower offi direction of the junior salesman Victor Plasters. Limited. lbe, * h departments had a pre-war s , tailing 14, against the present st. four. For the past two Chnstmas sons the premises had to be c'osed three weeks to give the s « thej annual holidays. '! he three m g ers ( were previously <J cpar11 n entn 1 * () f: and they now did all the Itfphdiiig i'• their departments as well as J^ij offe £'J io custogiors-. jh© appeal was £ - . ,