A BIG PROBLEM.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 896, 23 December 1916, Page 7

A BIG PROBLEM.

STATEMENT BY HON". J. ALLEN. Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 21. A question as to whether the New Zealand Government contemplated applying the principle of a levy en masse in the Dominion, thus following tho example of Britain, was asked of the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. James Allen) to-day. In reply, Mr Allen said the problem was too big a one to face in the absence of the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward in London. "We have not been neglecting this important subject, however," said the Minister. "As a matter of fact, Cabinet has been considering the questions of employment during the past two years, and of the best means of keeping the .productive industries of the country going. For some time past we have done a great deal of work in this matter, and have collected much data, one objective being the utilisation of productive labour. If the war is to go on, it is impossible to say what we may have to do in New Zealand. We must keep up the strength of our forces at the front, and at the same time we must keep our industries going. Though a lot has been done by farmers' organisations and others, a great deal more ought to be done to get the best out of our own people."