TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays WEDNESDADY, 24th MARCH, 1943 MAN-POWER

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5596, 24 March 1943, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays WEDNESDADY, 24th MARCH, 1943 MAN-POWER

WHEN Mr Fraser announced that the man-power debate was to be as “ full and free as possible,” though press reports would be subject to “ certain supervision with regard only to details,” it was not to be supposed that the reports permitted would reveal the Government’s proposals only in the sketchiest form or through the inference to be put on scattered observations. It was not to be supposed that they would leave the scope, method, and effect of the proposals wholly obscure, except in a few general references. But what was not to be supposed has appeared in the event. The Prime Minister quoted Mr Curtin’s Australian man-power figures; his own case was illustrated with none. First, the Government in-

tends to release from military service youths of 18 and 19 years, not all, but

such as wish to return to civil work. Second, there will be some 'transfers of men from the armed forces to industry. but their training will be kept up and they will be subject to recall to their units. Third, coastal and anti-aircraft defences will be fully maintained; and, fourth, the air force will be expanded. Fifth, the establishment will be kept up (a) so as to ensure efficient care of equipment; and (b) so as to provide reinforcements and replacements for the Middle East Force and the Pacific division. Sixth, the standard monthly training period for the Home Guard will be 16 hours. These plans, as more than one Minister showed, are expected to meet military commitments for the next 12 months, but not longer or much longer, and only on the assumption that casual! ...tcs do not rise abnormally; and within this period, also, a “ net gain to industry ” is expected. That is the outline of a precarious situation... It is the more disturbing because there is no evidence at all to suggest what the “ net gain ” to industry will be and where it will be effective; to what extent it will be qualified by the new training conditions; that .production needs have been precisely estimated and measures framed to meet them; that the difference between essential and non-essential civilian service will be more clearly defined and effectively observed; that the fallacious difference between mobilising men and training the most effective possible forces and reserves has been detected; or even that the Government, having called up the 41-45 age group while there are 40,000 grade 1 men reserved in industry, knows what to do next. The debate leaves one anxious uncertainty in the mind of the public and one grim certainty. It is uncertain that the Government’s policy will completely solve the problems of the next year. It is certain that it gives no assurance beyond that time.