MANPOWER FOR WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21037, 13 February 1940, Page 6

MANPOWER FOR WAR

NATIONAL REGISTER GOVERNMENT DECISION SOCIAL SECURITY RETURNS EQUIPMENT FOR TROOPS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The utilisation of a national register, compiled from facts obtained from the social security returns, as part of the general scheme for surveying New Zealand's manpower was announced by the deputy-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, when opening a conference called to discuss and prepare plans for a Dominion-wide recruiting drive. Mr Fraser also reaffirmed the Government’s policy of the voluntary system of enlistment, and emphasised that every endeavour should be directed toward making that effort a success.

The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, presided, and with him was the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan.

At the outset Mr Fraser expressed great pleasure at the safe arrival of the New Zealand troops in Egypt. It was a matter for great gratification that a journey that might have been attended by the greatest possible danger had been accomplished successfully. In thanking the local recruiting committees for their work since war began, he said it could not be claimed that the country had put forward its maximum effort. A great deal of work had been done, but he felt there was need for national co-ordination and co-operation, and that the country should be aroused to realise the position in which the British Commonwealth, indeed civilisation, found itself.

Mr Fraser briefly referred to the report of the Manpower Committee, and announced that there would be no absolutely exempted industry. Applications would be considered on their merits.

In certain cases men might have to be told they could not get away until they could be replaced. The job of replacement was a big one, but one the committee intended to undertake.

Before the manpower situation could be properly adjusted there must be a survey of the whole available manpower c-£ the population. That brought them to rhe question of a national register. Before the economic life of the country, apart from the war effort, could be thoroughly organised, facts concerning men's occupations and capabilities must be known.

Forms relating to social security were now being printed, and the information collected therein would form the basis of the national register.

Concluding, Mr Fraser said the meeting was for considering the best means of fulfilling the pledge to the United Kingdom and the other nations of the British Commonwealth, and to the Allies.

The problem of supplying essential requirements for both troops and civil population was outlined by Mr Sullivan. He said that after consideration of the potentialities of New Zealand production it had been decided to maintain the troops overseas in clothing and footwear. This was a new departure, but was being done at the request of the War Office. Such things as drill uniforms, braces, kit bags, etc., which were not local material would not be supplied.

The Minister stressed that the inspection system was meticulous, and the response of manufacturers for quality had been such that few rejections had to be made. He stressed the importance of key men in industry, and said that if they were not retained the Dominion’s war effort would suffer. The need for these men was in itself sufficient justification for taking a national register.

RESERVED OCCUPATIONS

REVISED ORGANISATION LOCAL COMMITTEES TO ACT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Minister in Charge of Manpower, the Hon. P. C. Webb, stated that up to the present time postponements of the acceptance of men for service had been decided upon by departmental officers of the Army and the State Placement Service, acting in collaboration, and as directed in the schedule adopted by the Government of those occupations which had to be regarded as highly important. After very careful consideration the Government had decided to appoint local manpower advisory committees to consider all such cases. The committees would utilise the existing machinery, and would consist of three members, one nominated by employers’ organisations, one by employees’ organisations, and one by local authorities.

The districts covered would be Auckland. Paeroa, Whangarei, Ham-

ilton, Wellington, Wanganui, Gisborne, Napier, Masterton, New Plymouth, Nelson, Greymouth, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. Mr Webb said that experience up to the present indicated that while the schedule of reserved occupations was necessary as a policy guide, conditions changed so rapidly that there were few if any occupations that could justify complete and permanent reservation. He emphasised that the Government would not seek preferential treatment for its employees. Applications without the approval of the manpower organisation were to be declined. Mr Webb also referred to the problems associated with the replacement of volunteers in occupations.