HOURS OF WORK IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25276, 30 August 1947, Page 10

HOURS OF WORK IN N.Z.

PARLIAMENT

“Workers Willing To Help Britain” MR J. MATHISON’S VIEWS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 29. Opposition speakers and newspaper editors had been calling for sacrifices from workers and from farmers, but there had b?en no call for sacrifice from employers, Mr J. Mathison (Government. Avon) said in the House of Kep esentatives to-day. If other sections of the community responded to the call to aid Britain as readily as would workers, then Britain would be helped to an extent unparalleled in this country, he said. Workers in New Zealand would respond at any time to help Britain, but they wanted an assurance from the Government that any extra effort they made would not result in increasing the already swollen profits of the employers, he said. He was sure it was true that the National Party would eliminate the 40-hour week and the five-day week if they had a chance. They would also give relief to the higher-income group by reducing social security and other services, and by altering the incidence of taxation so that the burden would be placed on those less able to bear it. “Dangerous and Pernicious” Mr M. H. Oram (Opposition, Manawatu) described Mr Mathison’s speech as one of the most dangerous and pernicious ever made in the House He had made statements calculated to promote disharmony, and had made a gratuitous statement that the Government in office during the 1914-18 War had not helped Britain, but had taken Britain down. That remark was m bad taste, and he was not likely to earn the thanks of the Government for his references to that particular period. Mr Mathison had also appeared to support the idea that workers should work a sixth day without extra pay. If that was really his belief, why did not the lead come from the leaders of the Government, instead of being left to the member for Avon? The answer was that the leaders of the Government were incapable of leading, and incapable of government. During Mr Oram’s speech there were frequent interruptions and interjec-

tions from both sides of the House, and Mr Speaker called the House to order. He said that the interjections caused confusion to radio listeners, and he wished some members would call at his office and see the spate of protestirlg letters which came in from all over the country. When there was a renewal of interruptions a few minutes later, Mr Speaker said: “I hope the member for Ponsonby will remain silent.”