STATE CONTROL

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22125, 20 November 1941, Page 6

STATE CONTROL

Liberties Of People War Effort Comes First (P.A.) TAUPO, Nov. 19. “Regulations are in existence giving the Government power to organise the manpower and womanpower of New Zealand and so prohibit workers leaving an industry which is vital to the war effort.” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) addressing the annual conference of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at Wairakei this morning. “It is possible that the Government will find it necessary to do a good many things which it has not yet contemplated or wished to do in interfering with the liberties of employees as the war situation develops and the manpower position becomes more serious," added the Minister. “If the circumstances justified it, I am certain the Government would make use of the regulation, and I believe it would be accepted as necessary by the workers in view of the war effort. The Government does not get any satisfaction about applying unnecessary control, and does not want to interfere with the liberties of the people any more than it must. However, when convinced that the time is ripe justifiably to interfere with the rights of the people it will not hesitate to do so to further the war effort. It was not an easy thing for the Labour Government to introduce conscription of manpower. We have always been opposed to it, but in spite of traditions and commitments we took the step. To prohibit the transfer of manpower in Industry would not be nearly so drastic a step. I think the workers who accepted conscription would co-oper-ate with the Government in the interests of serving the nation. So far the matter receives our concentrated attention, but it is not up for immediate decision. I can assure you that the Government will take whatever action necessary to ensure the welfare of the country.” The Minister was replying to a remit moved by Mr S. L. Wright, of Christchurch. regarding price stabilisation. Mr Wright stated that 38 important articles had been stabilised, and it was possible that more would be involved. While manufacturers agreed with control of prices in wartime, they contended that wages and prices of raw materials also should be stabilised. The speaker added that manufacturers’ stabilised lines limited them as to the wages they could pay. while in other lines where prices were not stabilised there was no limit to wages and this might result in the transfer of labour from vital industries to others dealing more in luxury’ lines. Some scheme would have to be adopted immediately to counteract this tendency. Mr Wright added that the question of subsidies was involved in price stabilisation. Manufacturers did not like subsidies. “The Government does not like subsidies either.” replied Ajr Sullivan. “I know that the Minister of Finance definitely dislikes them. However, the United Kingdom had to resort to vast subsidies, and it seems that we are merely following the same line. If you can find a better way we will be most grateful.”