PAID HOLIDAYS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 64, 16 March 1944, Page 2

PAID HOLIDAYS

FORTNIGHT FOR ALL

OPPOSITION SUPPORTS BILL

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. While the Opposition members generally welcomed the Annual Holidays Bill, which was introduced by Governor-General's message in the House of Representatives last night, they took exception to the Government's suggestion that there should be an immediate second reading of the measure.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, stated that although he was prepared to co-operate, at the same time, it was only fair that an opportunity should be given of ascertaining what was in the bill. Ultimately, it was decided that only an explanation of the bill by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb, would be taken at that sitting.

The bill, which is to come into operation on August 1, provides for a fortnight's annual holiday on full pay for workers who have been employed for 12 months prior to that date. Workers employed for less than a year are to receive a cash payment, which varies according to the length of their service.

The definition of workers entitled to the paid holidays is wide, covering any person of any age and of either sex employed for hire or reward, and includes apprentices and domestic servants. The holiday is to be given within six months after it becomes due, and if a worker's employment has been terminated before it is taken he is to receive pay covering the holiday period. All holiday payments are deemed to be wages and are subject to taxation.

The bill does not apply to workers already entitled to annual holidays or leave more favourable to them under any award or agreement or contract of service. Holiday books are to be maintained by all employers, and they are to be open for inspection by an inspector of factories.

"Measure Long Overdue" "The provision of holidays with pay is something we have put in the very forefront of our policy," remarked the Leader of the Opposition, when the bill was introduced. "Had we been the Government —as we very nearly were—we would have made this one of ■ our very first measures." (Government laughter.)

Mr. Holland added that he regarded the measure as long overdue. Most employers were already providing holidays on pay and the bill would bring others into line. He asked if there was anything in the bill that would encourage good time keeping, or reward for those who abstained from absenteeism. Was everybody going to get the privilege —strikers and everybody else—or was there to be some special reward for those who kept good time? He suggested that the bill should go to the Labour Bills Committee to secure evidence which might strengthen its provisions.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, at once gave an assurance that the bill would be referred to the Labour Bills Committee.

A Delightful Turn The Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb, said this was a delightful turn on an important bill, and it was refreshing to know that the Leader of the Opposition and his party agreed The Minister went on to say that in Great Britain and other countries similar provision had been made because it had become clear that years of hard work and drudgery had had a detrimental effect on production. He explained that full pay during a holiday meant the ordinary wage for ordinary time. Replying to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Webb said that casual workers would be covered by the provisions for proportionate payment from their various employers by means of revenue stamps affixed to the workers' wage cards, the workers being able to redeem a full year's holiday pay at the end of the holiday year.

The annual holidays would be in addition to any special holidays, such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the like, to which workers were entitled. In the case of waterside workers, where employment was intermittent and for different employers, provision was made for the terms and conditions of the holiday payment to be approved by the Minister of Labour. The Minister said that hundreds of thousands of workers were already covered by the goodwill'of their employers. As for the question when the holiday would be taken, this would have to meet the needs of industries and would be covered by regulations. The measure would cover State employees. Mr. Holland: Will the man on holiday be allowed to take other employment? The Minister replied that it was originally intended that he should not be able to do so, but as conditions affecting work of national importance might arise, it was considered desirable to have a little elasticity to meet such cases. However wherever possible, it was desired that the men. and women concerned should take their holiday and get the benefit of the rest. It was their health that was wanted. When put into operation, the bill would straighten itself put so far as the little bits of difficulty there might be were concerned. The second reading debate was adjourned.