USE OF DOMINION’S MANPOWER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 85, 12 April 1940, Page 4

USE OF DOMINION’S MANPOWER

ESSENTIAL OCCUPATIONS

DISTRICT COMMITTEES TO BE SET UP QUESTIONNAIRE TO BE ANSWERED BI MAT At a meeting of the New Zealand National Recruiting Council, held at Wellington yesterday, and at which Wanganui \vas represented by Mr. N. R. Bain, president of the vvanganui Territorial Association, the i-nme Minister, Hon. P. Fraser, on oehalf of the Minister of Manpower, Hon. F. Webb, piesented a report pn manpower organisation. This stated that representations made by a sub-commitlee set up by the recruiting conference hud been most carefully considered. At the same time those responsible for manpower questions had a further opportunity of studying the recruiting position as well as the drain that was continually taking place m primary and secondary industry. The Government rully appreciated the vital necessity of this countrymaintaining continuity of supply 01 men for defence requirements, n was of the utmost importance that cases be decided at the earliest possible moment after the recruit nad offered his services, in order to meet the demands of tne armed forces ana dislocate as little as possible industries where men are engaged in essential work; also, to avoid delays which might deter others from offering their services. For these reasons the Central Manpower Council recommended the setting up of committees, not only for each military district, but in tne more important centres. Tne personnel of such committees would consist of men who could be brought together frequently at short notice to deal with applications without delay. Cabinet now nad before it the names of gentlemen submitted for 16 committees throughout the Dominion. Tile Government wag ready to proceed with the establishment of those committees. The manpower organisation iieporl stated it had submitted to the Government a most comprehensive report covering all phases of the problem of replacement, and action was being taken that would enable those who volunteered to be promptly accepted for service, and, at tne same time, ensure that the personnel was available to replace them in primary x,a'- secondary industries. Reference was aiso made in the report to the action taken in designing a suitable badge and formulating sale conditions under which it should be issued to eligible men wno had enlisted, but hau been rejected on account of unfitness, or whose acceptance might oe postponed because of the nature ox tneir occupations. A comprehensive survey ol manpower had been commenced by the use of a suitable questionnairesubmitted with the annual declaration of income for social security purposes. Forms must be submitted uy the enu of May and preparations were in liana for the compilation of the whole of data as soon as the work could be done. With the steps already taken, and the comprehensive inlormatioii that would be secured by the survey, the Government would be in a position to plan satisfactorily for tne official utilisation of all its resources, to ensure that the Dominion could play its part in the Empire’s war effort.