40-HOUR WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 9

40-HOUR WEEK.

DATE NOT FIXED.

FINALISING BILLS. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. OTHER LABOUR LEGISLATION. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. It had been the intention of the Government that the new industrial legislation should take effect on June 1, but the Minister of Labour,.the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, stated to-day that, owing to the fact that the bills had not yet reached the Statute Book, a more reasonable date would be fixed, so that employers would have an opportunity of making the 'necessary arrangements.

The Minister pointed out that it wonVI be unreasonable to fix June I arbitrarily for the operation of the 40-hour working week in factories, seeing that the Factories Bill was not likely to be passed for a week or more. This bill has been considered by the Labour Bills Commit tee, and will probably be reported to tno House to-morrow, with amendments made by the committee.

The Shops and Offices Bill has been printed and is ready lor introduction this week. This is regarded by the Minister as one of the most important of the measures he has ir. hand, and it is expected to contain a number of farreaching provisions. Jt will be referred to the Labour Bills Committee.

Another important piece of industrial legislation which the Minister proposes to introduce before the break in the session is the Farm Labour Bill. Mr. Armstrong said that measure is in line with the bargain made with the dairy farmers' representatives some time ago. It would fix minimum weekly rates of wages for workers of 1C years of age and upwards, the wages vary according to the price of butterfat. The bill also makes provision for annual holidays for farm workers. Hours of work are not sjiecifically dealt with in the bill.