FORTY-HOUR WEEK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 206, 31 August 1936, Page 9

FORTY-HOUR WEEK.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES. ABSENCE OF INSTRUCTIONS. Although trades and industries which have not been exempted will begin the observance of the 40-hour week to-mor-row, September 1, no instructions appear to have been received by Government Departments with regard to the hours of work of the staffs and employees from this auspicious date. Inquiries made to-day among the heads of various Departments indicated that no definite information had been received from Wellington headquarters as to the position from to-morrow. "We have heard nothing," was a common rejoinder. In several cases, however, it is evident that employees are already working fewer than 40 hours a week, and in one or two it is stated that no great difficulty is likely to be experienced in making adjustments where weekly hours exceed 40. The Post and Telegraph Department has had no definite information, but in this case one division of the staff now works fewer than 40 hours per week. The Police Department has similarly had no official advice, and other Government offices have not received instructions. 1