WANGANUI HAS NOT ENOUGH LABOUR TO MEET ALL DEMANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 December 1948, Page 6

WANGANUI HAS NOT ENOUGH LABOUR TO MEET ALL DEMANDS

“In a city such as ours, it seems desirable that only a firm that is able to assure security of employment and permanence should he encouraged to establish a branch or factory,” said Mr. S. R. McCallum, secretary of the Wanganui branch ■of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association in an address on the decentralisation of industries which he gave at the annual meeting last night. He added, however, that while Wanganui had many advantages for secondary industries and was fortunate in the type of industries which had been established, it would appear that there were sufficient at present to absorb all the labour available and tiiat some were actually short of staff. “The employers, influenced originally in extending their operations into the secondary towns by the shortage of labour in the four main centres, believe that any additional expenditure involved in this move has been amply repaid by the greater efficiency of the labour available in secondary towns,” said Mr. McCallum. “Tangible savings have been made from the lower age groups from which the staff has been attracted, the smaller rate of labour turnover, and the higher efficiency due to the attitude of country girls to their work. “To the local communities, the new manufacturing industries have brought increased income, a greater variety of employment opportunities, particularly for women and girls, and a greater stability in the age structure of the towns. APPARENT DANGER. “But a danger already apparent in some of the larger secondary towns is the tendency for manufacturers, encouraged by the early successes of decentralised units, to continue setting up factories alter all the local labour is absorbed. This has led to labour conditions comparable with those of the four main centres, and country factories encounter those difficulties which manufacturers are trying to avoid by decentralising. “Branch factories, as well as the parent factories, may then be operating with a staff at less than the required strength, keeping overhead cost him in relation to output. Manufacturers would be advised to give full prior consideration to the labour position of any town which they may consider a future location of a manufacturing unit. “The majority of units which have already been established are comparatively small, which is consistent with the type of premises and the amount of labour available in each small town. While the lower proportion of the population engaged in I manufacturing in the smaller towns ; certainly suggests the possibility of (tapping an inadequately used labour | reserve in those towns, it must not b.e (supposed that a large number of workers could be drawn into manufacturing in any particular town. Nor I are there any more large buildings suitable for industrial purposes. It .would appear that any major move jinto a secondary town would have to I be accompanied both by an industrial building programme and a housing scheme. “Decentralisation, after careful consideration of the labour potential in a small town, brings advantages both to the manufacturer and the town. Hasty, ill-considered decentralisation ! is likely to achieve nothing for the manufacturer and to bring instability to the smaller community where lablour was available.” GREATER EFFICIENCY. The result of this decentralisation had shown manufacturers that besides being able to reduce their overhead costs in the smaller towns, the labour offering was more conscientious and efficient than employees in the larger centres. There was an over-expanding market for manufactured goods in New Zealand and Wanganui was a growing and promising centre for industry, Mr. McCallum said. It was the policy of the New Zealand Government to encourage the manufacturing industry in the Dominion in every way to ensure a rising demand for the products of local manufacturers. “If we in Wanganui wish to take advantage of the decentralisation in industry and its future development, then we must hang out our sign, giving publicity to the attractions ana advantages available in said Mr. McCallum. “That the demand for goods of local or New Zealand manufacture will be maintained is reasonably assured; firstly, by our steadily increasing population, and secondly, because in New Zealand we enjoy the third largest average income in the world, and the New Zealander expects to live well, and spends freely for food, clothing, and home comforts, and provides the immediate market for the local manufacturer.” WANGANUI INDUSTRIES. There was a good range of industrial activity in the Wanganui district. Seasonal industries, other than farming, included freezing works, dairy factories and wool stores, which absorbed 670 additional male workers between October 15, 1047, and January 15, 1948. Secondary industries were well represented and provided a wide scope for employment in engineering and metal working (about 850 workers), building and construction (more than 1000). and in woollen mills, fertiliser works, furniture making apd woodworking, printing, clothing, and foo<wear factories, town sawridling and tanneries. In addition, a match factory was to begin operations shortly. “The present estimated male labour force in the Wanganui district is 17,900, and we have 680 registered factories employing 3797 males and 907 females, a total of 4704,” Mr. McCallum added. “Compared with other provincial towns the total employed in factories in Wanganui is not high. However, the female notified vacancies as at March 31, 1948, was 217, compared with 94 in March. 1947. Of the 217, 121 were required for the clothing trade. “Vacancies for male workers as at March 31, 1948, totalled 343, as against '57 the previous vear. Freezing works I required 14, woollen mills 12, enginIcoring and metals 13, construction and •uildinj 21. “From these shortages,” said Mr. McCallum, “it would appear that we I have not sufficient labour to meet I the present demands.” driving. On the second conviction the 'disqualification is for three years, and I ■ until th-' court s’---. (it on 'application, to remove,,the restriction. 1 The licensing authority which issued the licence had no right to do so.