MAN-POWER POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25172, 12 March 1943, Page 2

MAN-POWER POLICY

WAR CABINET DECISIONS PLANS FOR REDISTRIBUTION (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Mar. 11. Proposals drawn up by the War Cabinet for the redistribution of manpower with the dual object of maintaining the effectiveness of the New Zealand forces and giving greater assistance to the primary and secondary industries were placed before members of both Houses of Parliament when they met in the social hall at Parliament Buildings to-day. The meeting was held there so that the chiefs of the fighting services could give to members all the available information on the war situation and its bearing on the man-power problem and could, in turn, be questioned on points of military detail. Commencing at 10.30 a.m., the meeting continued till 1 p.m., when the luncheon adjournment was taken. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m., and after formal business members returned to the social hall to resume the man-power discussion. At the morning meeting the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, who presided, outlined the War Cabinet’s proposals, the Minister of War Co-ordination, Mr J. G. Coates, supplementing his remarks. The General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces, Lieutenant-general E. Puttick. and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore R. V. Goddard, spoke on the progress of the war, with particular reference to the Pacific, and the Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Navy, .Sir Atwell Lake, addressed members on naval matters. Thereafter until the meeting concluded shortly after 5 p.m. members availed themselves of the Prime Minister's invitation to ask questions. It was originally intended that the House should debate man-power policy to-night, but it was decided to defer the discussion until to-morrow, when the House will devote the whole day to the proposals.