RATIONALISATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1075, 12 September 1930, Page 9

RATIONALISATION

DISTRESS IN SHIPYARDS WILL BE ACUTE WORKING FOR EFFICIENCY LONDON, Thursday. A conference of employers and workers in the shipbuilding industry has been summoned to consider the position created by the operations of ihe National Shipbuilders’ Security, Limited. The question of the future of displaced workers has been raised by the prospect of the abandonment at the end of this year of Beardmoie's shipbuilding yard at Dalmuir, in which the staff at present only numbers 500, whereas 6,000 were employed during the war. Negotiations have been advanced for the closing of another yard on the west coast of Scotland, also one on the east coast of England. A similar process of weeding-out is being pursued in other industries. It is argued that although this may involve some unemployment and hardship at present it will lead to extended employment when efficiency and elimination of waste have promoted increased productivity. Ono of the objects of National Shipbuilders’ Security, Limited, is the elimination of obsolete shipyards and more economical working tnrough concentrated production and financial .assistance to shipbuilders. The concern is registered with a nominal capital of £IO,OOO, with power to borrow up to £3,000,000. Britain maintains supemacy in the industry, but rationalisation is necessary to place it on a permanently sound basis.