LABOUR FOR CHEESE FACTORIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 112, 15 May 1941, Page 8

LABOUR FOR CHEESE FACTORIES

SHORTAGE CAUSES CONCERN POSITION IN WAIKATO Hamilton, May 13. The shortage of labour for cheese factories is causing concern in the Waikato. Giving evidence before the Hamilton Manpower Committee, Mr. W. F. Kirkman, factory superintendent of the New Zealand Dairy Company, read a letter from one factory manager which set out the position of all factories under the new scheme of changing over to cheese production. Eight now suppliers were already at. the factory and there would be 20 more by June 1. Five vats were m full use, and he could not get labour for two shifts. Unless men were transferred from other industries, he said, the position would be most serious next year.

Mr. Kirkman said that last season the company made 14,569 tons of cheese in 24 factories; this year the estimate was 18,215 tons, which would be achieved by some night work. He hoped the total output would reach 30.000 tons. Full double shifts would not probably be possible as some districts would find difficulty in securing sufficient milk, while the labour shortage was also an important factor.

Mr. Kirkman added that the output a man in cheese factories was probably about SO to 85 tons a year. The Manpower Committee arranged for five men to go to camp from May 1 to July 31, and they are expected to return to their factories. Experienced men who volunteered were required to stay in their present employment, and the cases of 12 others, all trained men, were adjourned sine die.