MANPOWER SHORTAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 111, 15 May 1942, Page 5

MANPOWER SHORTAGE

CONTROL OF DOMINION’S RESOURCES (P.A.) Wellington, May 14. New measures designed to prevent wastage ol New Zealand’s labour resources through the engagement of workers in non-essential industries and service are announced by the Minister of National Service, Hon. R. Semple, and enforced as from to-day, by order published with to-night’s Gazette. “The object of this step.” said Mr. Semple, “is to ensure that continue.! drafting of men into the Armed Forces will not deplete the labour supply in industries essential to tne continuation of the war effort. Apart • from the fact that, men are continually being absorbed into the forces, we have to face the necessity of supplying large numbers of extra workers to certain industries engaged in war work.” The Minister emphaised that tne application of the measure would be extended, whenever it was found expedient, to ?over other industries. The first industries affected would be undertakings carried on in any shoos, not. being restaurants, nor sho-»* wherein business was exclusively, or principally, that of baker, butcher, chemist, dairy produce seller (whete business consists cf house-to-house delivery of milk and cream), fishmonger, fruiterer, grocer. pork butcher, coke and firewood merchant. Non-essential manufacturing industries affected are set out in a specify d list which includes the manufacture )f beer, confectionery, fancy goods, sporting requisites, radios, refrigerators, washing-machines lawnmowers, umbrellas, frocks. millinery. and many other goods. The order provides that no employer in any of the industries and shops described may engage any worker without obtaini* g the prior consent of the local district manpower officer. Provision is made t for an appeal to the Director of National Service. Mr. Sample said that as the main labour difficulties arising out of the . employment of workers in non-essen-r tiai work was confined to the main • centres, the Government had decid'd that the new provisions should apply , only io employers within boundaries i .sncci f-J in the centres and set out in he order.