WORKERS' HOLIDAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 200, 24 August 1928, Page 9

WORKERS' HOLIDAYS.

LABOUR BILL SUSPECTED. ATMTTD AT THE FARMER. CRITICISM IN THE HOUSE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON this day. Suspecting a project by the Labour party to facilitate the organisation of rural workers, there was strong criticism in the House to-day of a bill introduced by Mr. Sullivan, the Workers' Annual Bill. Its first reading was, however, allowed to go without division. Mr. Sullivan stated that the bill provided that all workers not already covered should secure one week's holiday on full pay on completion of one year's service. Many workers, he said, were already enjoying this privilege, but an overwhelming majority of manual workers were neglected in this respect. The weakness seen by Mr. Forbes was that the bill added another to the long list of restrictions imposed upon employers. Most workers already got holidays as the result of a friendly arrangement, and this prompted good will between employer and employee. There was danger, if a week were specified, that all holidays would come down to a minimum. "This is a direct and quiet effort to organise rural workers just before an election," objected Mr. Glenn (Rangitikei). He assured members that rural workers got holidays, usually a fortnight, but any compulsion would put farmers in a hole. Mr. Parry (Auckland East), strongly denied that the bill represented an attempt "to sneak upon farmers while they are asleep." Mr. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) said he accepted an assurance that farmers generally gave their employees paid holidays, but many employers failed to do so. Though Mr. Glenn had objected to country workers organising, he was himself a member of the Farmers' Union. Mr. Sullivan, in reply, declared that his measure had no special objective. It embodied a general principle. He thought critical members had misrepresented the farmer by creatirg an impression that there was not a generous streak in them. Hon. Mr. MeLeod: Will you leave rural workers out?

Mr. Sullivan: I am surprised at the Minister's question,- because ha is also 3smistar .of loduatries »nd Oosunenat 1