TO STAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 76, 31 March 1941, Page 8

TO STAND.

40-HOUR WEEK. MINISTER EMPHATIC. EXCEPT FOR WAR EFFORT. "Definitely no." Thiri was the emphatic reply of the Minister of Labour to-day when he was asked this afternoon whether in view of the genera! shortage of lu:hour lie I contemplated abolishing the 40-ihourj week. The Minister said that any extension of hours had to be approved by the Industrial Emergency Council, and upplican-tri had to show that any extension was essential to Xew Zealand'* war effort. The council, he explained, consisted of an equal number of representatives of the Employers' Federation and the Federation of Labour. It was .-et tip to deal with applications for the extension of hours in industry.

"In making decisions the background I of the council is that unless there is a national need for an extension awards should not in any way be interfered •witih," said Mr. WeJbb. "Where it lias been pointed out that an extension of ■hours is essential for the prosecution of the war the council has never had any hesitation in extending hours, and the decisions in 30 different industries have l>een approved by all parties." The Minister said that in some cases an extension of hours would not mean an extension of production owing to the disorganisation that would result, in addition to the lack of raw materials in many industries. He had been informed by men in business that in certain factories a longer working week would not materially increase production. If, however, a longer working week were necessary, the Government would have no hesitation in appealing i to the industries concerned for extended I hours.