MANPOWER POSITION

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 21982, 10 March 1943, Page 2

MANPOWER POSITION

STATEMENT TONIGHT U CABINETS CONSIDERING ISSC* H WELLINGTON, Tuesday In the House of Representatives tonight the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, asked for an adjournment until 7.30 tomorrow night to enable the Cabinet and the War Cabinet to come to certain conclusions in regard to the manpower situation. He said he hoped to be in a position to lay certain matters before the House when it met at 7.30 tomorrow night to conclude the debate on the Address-in-Reply. “I think it will be better to meet in the social hall of Parliament on Thursday,” said Mr Fraser, “so that members can meet the chiefs of staffs and also engage in a full discussion on the war situation. I want to avoid a secret session and I wish to have as full and free a discussion as possible. If we can complete that on Thursday morning we may resume in the House later that day and then discuss the manpower situation openly but off the air.” Supervision of Press An Opposition Member: Does that mean the exclusion of the press? The Prime Minister: No; but there will be certain supervision. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, said that was the first indication he had had of any change in the programme of the House. He understood that was unavoidable. The Opposition was anxious to work in closest co-operation with the Government in the war effort. He would like, however, some indication as to the probable end of the session in view of travel difficulties of South Island members. The Prime Minister replied that in addition to the Commercial Gardens Registration Bill there was a bill providing for the Housing Construction Department to come under the Public Works Department and also changing the title of the Minister from Minister of Public Works to that of Minister of Works. There was also a small taxation bill which might prove controversial. Another bill concerning the rights of patentees during the war period was in sight. He thought the House should be able to conclude the session on Friday night. Income Tax Evasion In an urgent question the Hon. F. Langstone (Government —Waimarino) asked the Minister in Charge of the Land and Income Tax Department, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, whether he had read a report from Australia, in which it was stated that taxation officials there had combed foreign communities, and that the amounts collected were staggering. He inquired whether, in view of the large increase in the note issue in New Zealand, the Minister would have similar investigations made here to ascertain whether there was any evasion of income tax. " Every effort is being made by the Land and Income Tax Department to detect tax evasion, but shortage of staff prevents a special inquiry being instituted at present,” said the Minister. He added that the Government was fully aware of the significance of the large volume of notes now in circulation. As soon as circumstances permitted, a full-scale investigation would be undertaken. “ Is It the policy of the Government to grant a monopoly to a city firm to reclaim waste rubber and then permit the same firm to refuse to grant supplies to vulcanisers in the country districts ? " asked Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition—Waitomo) in notice of a question to the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. Mr Broadfoot also asked the Minister If he would see that the required supplies were made available, and thus prevent vulcanising being concentrated in the city, to tha detriment of the country vulcanisers. * Withdrawals From Army Mr W. S. Goosman (Opposition—Waikato) asked the acting-Minister of Defence, Mr Fraser, in an urgent question: ” Is the Minister aware that grade 1 single men over 21 years of age have been withdrawn from the Army to work in the Marketing Department in Auckland, while grade 2 men are being drawn from farms to go overseas on garrison duty, and will the Minister have the matter Investigated immediately and corrected ? ** Mr Fraser undertook to have the matter Investigated. The direction of young women from full employment into service as mental hospital attendants was the subject of an urgent question by Mr H. Atmore (Independent—Nelson) to the Prime Minister. He said many girls were temperamentally unfitted for such an occupation, and to force them into it might be dangerous and even cruel. In one case, a young woman who refused to obey the order was reluctantly dismissed by her employer according to law, and was now threatened with prosecution. Mr Fraser said it was true some girls and even some men were not suitable for such work, but all work in mental hospitals did not necessarily bring the attendants into contact with violent patients. In fact, about 90 per cent of the work was in connection with people who were nonviolent. Mr Barren and Social Credit Mr C. A. Barrell (Government—Hamilton) made an appeal to all members of tha House to get together and co-operate in winning the war and planning for the wellbeing of the country in post-war days. Ha urged the sinking of all party differences in those two vital objectives. “ Why cannot we forget our silly politics.” said Mr Barrell, ” and get down to the job of helping Britain and the Allied Nations, and j rebuilding the country and the Empiro j after the war ? ” Mr Barrell said that the Hon. F. Langston e (Government—Waimarino). was not alone in his advocacy of financial reforms. “ I am a social credit supporter, and tha majority of the Government members believed in the control of credit,” he continued. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland: The majority, you say? Then wh) not put it into operation ? Mr Barrell: There is a time and placA for everything. ' Agreement with Mr Barren's contention , that greater emphasis should be laid on ! the teaching of citizenship was expressed j by the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason. ” The future of our children has not been lost sight of by the Govern- ; ment, but I agree that there has been some ! disposition to sacrifice the interests of the ! children under war conditions," said the , Minister. He thought it would have been ! better for the children of the Dominion if so many teachers had not volunteered for the armed forces. The country had gone as far as it should in allowing teachers to join the forces. Social Security and Hospitals The Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, said that social security expenditure was within expectations and there should be a surplus in the fund at the close of the year. Mr Nordmeyer said that £3,600,000 was to have been transferred from the Consolidated Fund to tha Social Secui ity Fund last year, but actually only £500.000 was transferred, leaving a balance of £3,100,000. It was never Intended that the social security contribution of Is in the pound, plus the annual levy of £1 on males and 5s on females, should meet the whole ccst of social security. It was always anticipated that a considerable contribution would be required from the Consolidated Fund. The upward trend in hospital expenditure and the demands on local authorities was apparent before social security came into operation, said the Minister. The effect of the scheme was for two years to diminish the demands on local authorities and this was the first year that the demand* were in excess of those for 1940-41. Referring to hospital rating, the Minister said that In no circumstances would he agree to an increase in the social security tax to abolish rates. If there was to be a displacement of local rates it must be at the cost of the Consolidated Fund. The £1,300,000 found today from local ratepayers would Inevitably have to come from soma source. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, claimed that there was no part or the Allied world where there were lewer Industrial stoppages and less time lust than In New Zealand. Ttiere had been greatly increased output from the Waikato coal mines since the -tale took control folloxj* mg the strike last year. Production Jj-TY been stepped up very substantially. The coalowners had fought against the ?tata assuming control, but were co-operating splendidly in achieving the excellent r*U >Vr Webb declared that the coalminers or the Dominion were working too hard. He was not asking them to slacken up, but on the contrary was asking them lor more production.