THE FORTY-HOUR WEEK

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21857, 10 August 1936, Page 12

THE FORTY-HOUR WEEK

REDUCTION GRANTED TO STONEMASONS

general declaration for

engine-drivers

The 40-hour week will be Worked by stonemasons in Canterbury and Dunedin, following a decision by his Honour Mr Justice Page, given in the Arbitration Court cn Saturday. The court granted an application by Smokeless Fuel and Briquettes (Cam terbury), Ltd., for extension Of its working week to 44 hours. In delivering judgment oft the application by the stonemasons for a reduction ef the working week to 40 hours, his Honour commented that the court also considered three applications made on behalf of factory occupiers. for an extension to 44 hours. “We have carefully examined the evidence;,” said his Honour, “and the balance-sheets submitted in support ot these applications, and have come to the conclusion that the employers have not established that it woifld be impracticable to carry cn this industry efficiently on a 40-hour week.” In making an order for the reduction of hours the court decided against Saturday work, and made the usual order precluding alteration of the rates or wages of any worker by reason of tire reduction of hours. Extension for Briquette Factory “We think that a case for relief has been made out by this applicant,' slates the judgment referring to Smokeless Fuel and Briquettes (Canterbury), Ltd. The court made an order extending to 44 the hours of work to be worked in this factory, aha declared that Saturday work would be permitted. Application for a 40-hour week was also made by the Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, and Kaitangata enginedrivers’ and firemen’s unions. Dealing with these applications, the court ruled; “The parties in these cases have agreed that the general considerations as set out in the judgment of this court relating to storemen and packers are applicable to engine-drivers, that is to say, in the case of an enginedriver employed by a firm whose working hours have been fixed at 40 a week, the engine-driver Wifi, ot couTss, get the benefit of thh , ticn. Where, however, the bouse is cn - which works longer hours than 40 a week, the fortunes of the enginedrivel' will follow those of the house that’employs him.” , . A general order in the terms of this declaration was issued, and leave w&* received to refer any special cases to the court. Hairdressers’ Assistants The general considerations relating to retail businesses were in the mam applicable to the case of hairdressers assistants employed in women’s haitdr easing establishments, the court slated. It bad been established that it would be impracticable to carry, on efficiently on a 40-hour week and it was obvious that work on Saturdays was necessary. An order was accordingly made fixing the hours of v. r Cik 8: 44 a week. GRADUATED LAND TAX DOMINION-WIDE PROTEST intended Representations against the reintroduction of the graduated land tax will be made to the Minister for Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) by a deputation to Wellington on August 20. A committee of Christchurch businessmen secured an appointment with the Minister for the delegation, and they intend to cooperate with tne other centres in making the question a Dominion-wide matter. • .■