PROBLEMS OF FUTURE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23258, 20 July 1945, Page 4

PROBLEMS OF FUTURE

Rehabilitation And Manpower Survey Being Prepared “It will be difficult to assess accurately the manpower anti rehabilitation problems of South Canterbury until further data is available.” said the District Manpower officer (Mr E R. Winkel) i:i an address to the South Canterbury Regional Planning’ Council yesterday. “Among the items of information required are the following," Mr Winkel continued: (a> "The number of servicemen and women that may be expected to return to this district. A recent estimate gives the total of 2600. (b) “The extent to which existing industries can absorb that number. (c) "The number of civilians who will be displaced by returned servicemen and women; or displaced from their present employment when war contracts come to an end. id) “The capacity of industry to absorb the above, and the consideration of the expansion of industry to provide employment for all who are available. “Additional to these problems is the need to provide ali-the-year-round work for such people as f reezing workers, threshing mill hands, shearers, and the like—-for these, too, have their representatives overseas, and in addition, play a vital part in the industrial life of South Canterbury, Regard should be had. too, to provision of suitable employment for waterside workers, so that ample labour will always be available to ensure the prompt loading and unloading of vessels calling at the Port of Timaru.” Mr Winkel continued that steps were being taken to obtain the required data on the foilowing lines:—A survey was being conducted by the National Service Department of all pemonnel serving with all three branches of the Armed Forces, obtaining particulars of the employment, qualifications and desires of service personnel. Much of the remaining data would be obtained by a survey which would be commenced almost immediately of industries in this district. This survey which was being made as a joint effort by the Regional Council, the Rehabilitation Department, and the National Service Department would provide data for all three organisations, and was aimed at a comprehensive survey of employment prospects, building requirements, and allied matters in each region. Source of Information Some of this information would be obtained through the head offices of Dominion-wide industries, but much of it would need to be assembled locally. An initial list of industries had been compiled and offices of his Department would seek the co-operation of employers in those industries in compiling information relating to such items as the following:—Pre-war staff, present staff; estimated outflow, due to retirements, cessation of contracts, etc.; estimated inflow from returning service personnel; returning personnel directed by manpower officers to other industries; and net ( staff shortage on an occupational basis; details of any extensions, new buildings, or major alterations anticipated with a view to assessing the quantity of labour and material likely to be required in the building industry. Other forms of survevs would take place in respect of certain types of industries, but the information referred to would be sought from local Industries on the list already compiled. “It cannot be too strongly emphasised,' Mr Winkel concluded, “that postwar development and rehabilitation in particular is a job for everyone. Plans must be made so that the most effective results may be obtained. Before these plans can be made, information must be available. Every endeavour has been made to avoid unnecessary information, and an appeal is made to all businessmen to cooperate whole-heartedly in giving such informs tic - as may be asked for. It will be treated as strictly confidential to departmental officers. When the information is available, plans can be prepared to meet all contingencies and to ensure a successful transition from wartime to peacetime conditions. These plans, will of course, represent only the second stage—a blueprint for the future. The successful implementing of those plans will be the aim and object of everyone interested in the future welfare of our country.”