MALE MACHINISTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 57, 9 March 1946, Page 4

MALE MACHINISTS

WORK IN WANGANUI INVESTIGATED

Male machinists may be employed in Wanganui factories to help overcome the effects of the acute shortage of female operatives and already proposals to this end are under consideration- . . , “So far as Wanganui is concerned the question of employing male machinists in shoe, slipper and rug factories is being investigated by the National Service Department with a view to rehabilitating suitable returned men,” stated the district manpower officer at Wanganui, Mr. G. A. Plummer, yesterday. Negotiations are in train for tne Subsidising of these men by way of a grant to the employer of the returned serviceman for that type of work. Decision is expected to be reached shortly. “Machinist work in certain lines is unsuitable for male workers but other classes of heavier works such as those named could well be done by men,” Mr. Plummer added.

So far no applications for this type of work have been received from men in Wanganui, but it is known that there are several men of the right type in this district who would willingly undertake these jobs if the scheme is approved. Factory principals have expressed their willingness to take on these men on a subsiaised basis and all that is awaited now is approval of the proposals advanced.