MANPOWER DIRECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25456, 10 February 1944, Page 6

MANPOWER DIRECTIONS

Sir—One can only stand amazed at the absurdities that are being attempted by our war-time bureaucrats in connection with the direction of man-power. A week or two ago we read of a case in which a young woman with three years of practically specialised knowledge and work was abruptly directed to a domestic post at Wellington. Luckily this gem was nipped in the bud, on appeal, but it leaves a nasty taste in one’s mouth, and it is time parents got together and saw to it that their daughters are not. to be muddled about by a system that is autocraic in its direction; but more than foolish in its application. After all. If It is good enough for powerful unions in this country to run things pretty well as they like and with or without real cause, it is certainly more than good enough for parents to see to it that their own flesh and blood get treated with at least commonsense. No parent worthy of the name should allow his girls to be sent indiscriminately all over the country to goodness knows what conditions and risks. We have heard of the room racket in Wellington with girls left with a few siblings to feed and clothe themselves. Presumably the Government is blind or not interested in such iniquity. Probably it would wake up if, .say, the watersiders demanded it. Apart from this, where are Wellington’s women? It is astounding to think there is not one up there who is available as a domestic. It, almost makes one think there is something more behind it. So far as New Zealand Is concerned the war is over. Restrictions are removed, and the Home Guard, after much cost and issue of perhaps a hundred thousand uniforms, is disbanded. We are entitled to think we are safe as a church. Yet, all over New Zealand men and women are retained in the forces, maybe to keep someone in a job, and are eating their heads off with nothing tt> do. And yet we have all this muddlement and bewilderment of man-power and womanpower. Presumably it is a pleasant belief of officialdom that any old thing is good enough for the individual, man or woman, over whofn the man-power officer exercises authority. I cannot do more than suggest that parents keep a sharp and critical eye on proceedings and. where necessary, claim at least tire same rights to justice and commonsense as the miners, freezing workers, watersiders. and innumerable other workers throughout New Zealand do.—l am, etc., Rifle Brigademan.