EXTRA HOUR OFF AT LUNCH

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22017, 15 February 1937, Page 8

EXTRA HOUR OFF AT LUNCH

Suggestion For Visit Of Prime Minister

NO SUPPORT FROM MAYOR OR OFFICIAL LABOUR

No support was forthcoming from official Labour circles yester- gfr day for a proposal put forward by Mr Hiram Hunter, a pioneer Labour member of the Christchurch City Council and workers' representative on the Arbitration Court from 1923 to 1926, that workers should receive art extra hour at lunch next Friday to attend the civic reception to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, when he arrives in Christchurch. Mr Hunter first made his suggestion in a letter to the editor of "The Press." On Saturday an advertisement was published as follows: — "Monster Reception to Labour's Prime Minister. Friday, February 19 at noon. The Mayor has refused Workers One Hour's Holiday from 11 a.m. Ask the boss for this hour off. Solidarity is the word. Hiram Hunter." "Holiday Unnecessary" When the letter was referred to the Mayor, Mr J. W. Beanland, he said that there was no need for a holiday, as the reception was being held at noon, and the working people could attend in their lunch hour if they so desired. Commenting on the wording of the advertisement yesterday, Mr Beanland said Mr Hunter had entirely mistaken the position, as he had not refused a holiday. He was not prepared as Mayor to ask business people to declare a holiday, and did not know of anv occasion when business y people v had been asked to grant a holiday for a civic reception. "This reception is not a public meeting at all," he added. "A civic reception is being given by me as Mayor, and that Mr Hunter wants to arrange a welcome is no reason why I should ask employers to give their men an hour off- Further, I understand that the Labour people are givinf the Prime Minister a semi-privE -■ reception on Friday night, and if Mr Hunter wants to arrange a welcome he can do it then." Official Labour View When the advertisement was referred to him, Mr E. J. Howard, M P., said Mr Hunter had; no business whatever to insert it and he was quite sure that he had no omcial backing for his action. For the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee, Mr B. M. Macfarlane said that as an organisation they had made no request for an extra holiday, nor had such a suggestion ever been discussed by the committee. Such a matter was really an mdustnal matter concerning the Irade unions, but it would mean considerable ois- y organisation of industry through adjustments of time and pay. Mi Hunter had no connexion with too trade union movement. committee's welcome to the Prime Minister would be the function to be held on Friday night.

The North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee will hold and dance in the Caledonian Hall on Friday, February 19, at 8 pjn., to honour the Prime Minister,'the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, who will deliver a short address. .