EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 February 1947, Page 5

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

MINISTER REPLIED TO MB. W. J. TRUSCOTT’S VIEWS (P.A.) Wellington, Feb. 21. “The Minister’s lengthy statement on the function and work of tbe National Employment service surety supports the recommendation of our federation conference rather than condemns it,” said Mr. W. J. Truscott, president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, when asked to comment on the statement of the Minister of Employment. Mr. McLagan, answering criticisms of the service. “The setting up of a separate department, particularly during a time when manpower and office accommodation, both in the Public Service and in industry and commerce, is so short, when all the main functions outlined by Mr. McLcgan, either have been in the past or could easily be carried out by existing departments, was the reason for our criticism and for our statement regarding the redundancy of the National Employment Service. “We have not such a gloomy outlook upon New Zealand’s future as apparently the Minister has. I see no real need new to [ repare for a period of unemployment.

“After having given the new system a fair trial, and after in the conference having examined the summarised informalion very kindly supplied to us by Mr. H. L. Bockett the director of the service and a man for whom the whole of the delegates' present, as well as manufacturers generallv. have the highest regard, both personally and from the point of view of his ability we simply ’suggested that Mr. Bockett’s services, as well as those of his staff throughout Now Zealand, could be better employed elsewhere than in the development and maintenance of a new Government department. We clearly indicated that we have nonobjection to the supply of statistical and other information where it can be clearly shown that it would he in oar own and the country’s interest io do so.

“Regarding our attitude towards full employment, I can only say that I would have thought that a Minister of Mr. McLagan’s standing and length of so/vice would have known of our re, ent cd declaration over the last two years, both publicly and to the Government, of our wholehearted support for full employment." ing for Wigram Cup).—R. D. Brown, Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club. 1: A B. Milne, Wanganui, 2; R. George. New Plymouth. 3. Aerobatic competition (points counting for Wigram Cup). M R. Clarke, Hawke's Bav and’East Coast Aero Club, 1 _ F. R. Howarth. Nelson, 2: D. Paterson. Auckland. 3. Professional landing competition.— R. G. Bush, Otago Aero Club. 1; K. J. Holdaway, New Plymouth. 2.