HUMAN RESOURCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24782, 5 December 1941, Page 6

HUMAN RESOURCES

CONSCRIPTION IN BRITAIN PROPOSALS WELL RECEIVED (Rec. 9 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 3. Mr Churchill's speech in the House of Commons on the Government's sweeping plans for organising the manpower and woman-power of Britain is acclaimed here as a great statesmanlike contribution to the conduct of the war, and it is generally agreed that Mr Churchill summed up the situation in the words, "A crisis of manpower and woman-power is at hand, and will dominate the year 1942." Commenting on Mr Churchill's munitions time table—"the first year, nothing at all; Ihe second year, very little; the third year, quite a lot; and the fourth year, all you want"—The Times says: "Mr Churchill added that we were now at the beginning of the third of the four years required to bring the munitions production up to the standard of 'all you want.' If that standard is to 'be achieved we must adjust from time to time the application of our human resources to the fighting services, factories, farms and other calls upon them. The time has now come to make" a very large readjustment, and. though a further inroad upon the amenities of • life is involved, the reception given to yesterday's proposals shows that this readjustment will be readily accepted."

LABOUR PARTY'S ATTITUDE LONDON, Dec. 3. Although the Labour Party officially accepted the Government's man-power and woman-power proposals, a section of the pany decided to table an amendment demanding nationalisation of munition factories, transport, and coal mines as the price of their support. A Labour Party meeting was held on the morning of December 2, at which Mr Ernest Bevin privately explained the Government's. policy. About 30'Labour members are known to favour the amendment. This fact was conveyed to Mr Churchill, who held a series-of consultations with his advisers.- A further meeting of the Labdur Party will be held before the end of "the debate, probably to-day. when the. party's attitude to the amendment will be determined.