DUNEDIN MANUFACTURERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25499, 31 March 1944, Page 4

DUNEDIN MANUFACTURERS

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION At the monthly meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association the president (Mr G. W. Lane) occupied the chair. Mr H. L. Longbottom, who recently returned from Australia, reported on his observations of industrial conditions there. He said that there was less detailed control in New Zealand than there was to be found in Australia, in spite of the extent to which this country had been regimented. In many of the Australian factories, for instance, Government inspectors were located on the premises to supervise and check production from day to day. It was reported that arrangements had been completed with Colonel K. J. Walker, of the Southern Military District, for his assistance in obtaining the release of grade II and grade HI men from South Island camps and also members of the W.A.A.C. who were previously machinists in industry. Colonel Walker had undertaken to assist, with the qualifications that he must be convinced that the releases were vitally essential to industry and that they were recommended by the Armed Forces Appeal Board or the National Service Department. Members pointed out that cases had occurred in the past where men whose apoeals for release had been upheld by the appeal boards had, nevertheless, been held indefinitely by the army. It was hoped that the latest arrangement would put an end to that practice. A letter was received from the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union drawing attention to the serious decline in primary production. Members expressed their sympathy with the farmers in the position that had arisen and agreed that steps should be taken to arrest this state of affairs. It was decided to forward the letter to the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation asking for its guidance and support and advising it that the meeting favoured consideration being given to the need for increased prices for produce for export. t