MANPOWER REGULATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22648, 29 June 1945, Page 2

MANPOWER REGULATIONS

Relaxation of the manpower regulations concerning certain categories of workers will be welcomed especially because it will eliminate many cases of individual hardship. From June 30, the Minister of Manpower announced, widows of servicemen of the present war, wives of returned servicemen, married women over 40 and persons under 18 years would be freed from manpower obligations on application to the manpower officer. It was hoped soon to be able to release all returned servicemen similarly. What the result of the change will be remains to be seen. A wholesale abandonment of essential industries by all the classes involved would probably be very embarrassing, but it is expected that considerable numbers will elect to remain in their present employment on a voluntary basis.

The decision to relax the regulations to this extent is an indication of an easing in the pressure on some of the essential industries, to which the return of numbers of men from overseas has contributed. Further relief will come on the return to New Zealand of 7000 former prisoners of war and some thousands of long-service personnel from the Middle East. The relaxation at present applies only to essential industries and not to the Service departments. While assuring that the Navy, Army and Air Force establishments are maintained at full efficiency the Government could profitably again turn its attention to this aspect of manpower utilisation. Many industries, not necessarily classed as essential but still an important part of the national economy, have had their staffs seriously reduced to strengthen the Service establishments, and they are looking to the Government to make the earliest possible releases consistent with the essential war effort.