WAR EFFORT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 107, 8 May 1941, Page 6

WAR EFFORT

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

PROTEST BY EMPLOYERS

A letter protesting against an allegedly misleading report in the Labour weekly, the "Standard," in reference to the 40-hour week in relation to the war effort, has been sent to that paper by the New Zealand Employers' Federation. "The report in your issue of April 17 is misleading, in that it conveys the impression that the Employers' Federation has applied to the Industrial Emergency Council for a general extension of hours to 44 per week, and that this application, after being turned down, was renewed again and brought forward to the council a second time," says the letter. As this is "definitely not the case," the "Standard" is asked' to publish the federation's explanation. *The letter points "out that the New Zealand Employers' Federation has not made any general application to the Industrial Emergency Council for a general extension of hours. It was fully aware that such an application was not one for the council, but, being a matter of Government policy, should be considered only by Cabinet. Xl\ e Industrial Emergency Council was appointed under specialregulations, which empowered it "to inquire into and advise the Minister during the war emergency on any matters referred by him to the council, or on any other matters arising out of a state of emergency and pertaining to his office." However, notwithstanding any advice the council might give (the letter continued)* the Minister's powers as regards th£ operation of awards were limited by regulation to cases in which the relief was required. These powers are thus expressed: "To facilitate the effective conduct of ■ emergency operations arising out. of the war." The same regulation makes it clear that the power is not general, bu£ is l to be exercised only in special cases

General Extension Essential "It was obvious,' , says the federation's letter, "that the regulations quoted were never intended to give the Industrial Emergency Council power to recommend any general extension of hours, and, while the Employers' Federation considers that a general extension for the duration of the war is essential, it would not waste time in making an application to a body which clearly would have to decline to consider it." It is also pointed out by the federation, in respect to the 'Standards" reference to "a further attempt to bring this matter before the council by -way of general busirfess. on December 17, 1940," that the federation had no knowledge of any discussion on such an application nor of any further attempt to have such a matter discussed. "It is the policv of the various committees appointed by the Industrial Emergency Council to give interested parties notice of the hearing of any applications referred to the Industrial Emergency Council. and no such notice was given to the Employers' Federation." To Revert After War Recognising that a general extension of hours was a question for Cabinet as a matter of Government policy, the federation wrote to the Minister of Labour on June 5 1940 drawing attention to a resolution carried by the executive of the federation. This resolution, which was unanimously passed, expressed the belief that in view of the existing situation it was imperative that production should be maintained and wherever possible increased. As nothing was gained if the unit cost of production was raised, it was suggested that longer hours be worked, without any increase in the wage rate per hour. The executive, therefore, recommended the suspension of the operation of the 40-hour week for the duration of the war. and six months thereafter. The resolution went on to say that if workers generally would agree to such an extension of "hours as might be necessary in any industry for the purposes of the common war effort, the New Zealand Employers" Federation would not oppose the automatic return to existing hours of work, to take effect six months after the cessation of war. The federation makes the point that if this letter was referred to the Industrial Emergency Council it was done without the request or knowledge of the Employers , Federation On February 18, 1941. the federation also wrote to the Director of National Service, calling his attention to the views expressed in the resolution. Again, if this letter was referred to the Industrial Emergency Council it was without the knowledge or desire ui the federation.