MINISTER MAKES REPLY

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22151, 24 September 1943, Page 7

MINISTER MAKES REPLY

LABOUR AND PRODUCTION IMPROVED POSITION CLAIMED (By Tele^rapn—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday The Minister of Industrial Manpower, the Hon. A. McLagan, replied today to the recent statement of Mr James Begg, president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Federation, in which he denied that the manpower position of the farming industries had improved compared with the middle of 1942. “I can say quite definitely,” said Mr McLagan, “that this improvement in the general farm labour position is real and has actually occurred. Altogether there have been 13,800 farming workers released from military service to the farming industry since June, 1942, of whom 2100 have been released since April 1, 1943. During the whole period, however, approximately 4000 were remobilised after the expiry of temporary leave and 1500 fresh postings occurred. The net gain to the farming industry may be closely estimated at 8300 men. “It may be remembered,” said the Minister, “that in June, 1942, the home defence forces of this country had reached an extremely high figure, and very sweeping reductions have taken place since then. The figure of 8300 represents only that portion of the total reduction in the home forces which was actually transferred on to farms. “After making all allowances for remobilisation and fresh postings I do not suggest,” continued the Minister, “that farming industries are not in need of further men. ■ Additional demands which have been thrown on to farmers for increased production are well known and everything is being done to augment further the labour force available to the industry.”