HOURS OF LABOUR

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 15

HOURS OF LABOUR

BRITISH GOVERNMENT INTERESTED RELIBVING UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS (BRITISH O/FICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received November 16, 7.20 p.m.} RUGBY, November 15. The possibility of absorbing more persons in industry by better distribution of employment is engaging the active attention of the British Government. The Minister for Labour stated to-day that he had arranged for immediate conversations between representative organisations and work-people about hours of labour. He said that the practicability of a seven-hour day or s five-day week in industry would no doubt be brought under review. Tho matter was recently the subject of an appeal by Mr Stanley Baldwin for employers to consider the reduction of overtime. Further reference to it was mads m the House of Commons in the debate on the proposals for dealing with depressed areas, when th» Minister for Labour said that invitations to attend the discussions had been sent to the National Confederation of Employers organisation and to the Trade Unions Congress. He. hoped to have the' opportunity of discussing with each individual industry the part it could play. H* regarded it as a national duty for employers, wherever possible, to assist the Government in the task of dealing with the unemployed.