HOURS OF WORK

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 10

HOURS OF WORK

MORE APPLICATIONS REFUSED

COURT GIVES TWO DECISIONS

[THE PRESS Special Service.l

WELLINGTON. July 4.

The application of the Colonial Ammunition Company, Ltd., Mount Eden, Auckland, which has worked a fiveday week since 1918, for the right to work 4U hours a week and 44 hours during rush periods was refused by the Arbitration Court in a judgment delivered to-day. “The operations of the company are to some extent seasonal,” the judgment states, “there being at certain seasons great pressure of work, as, for example, for a month or two before the opening of the shooting season. The company asks that it be granted permission to work, as at present, 41J hours in normal times and 44 hours in rush periods. “We have carefully considered the evidence called and -the submissions made, and have come to the conclusion that it has not been shown that it would be impracticable to carry on the work of this factory without an extension. An extension cannot, therefore, be granted.” By another judgment the court amends the Otago and Southland paper mills employees’ award as from September 1, so that the hours of work for those bound by the award shall be not more than 40 (exclusive of overtime) in any one week. Rates of pay prevailing on September 1 are to be adjusted so that the ordinary rate of weekly wages shall not be reduced.

The court stated that it had not been established that it would be impracticable to carry on efficiently the industry or the work of the factory in question on a 40-hour week.