4-day week not a dream — Mr Knox

Press, 29 October 1981, Page 6

4-day week not a dream — Mr Knox

Acceptance of a 35-hour, four-day week in New Zealand was at the same stage now as before the 40-hour week was introduced many years ago, said the president of the Federation of Labour, Mr W. J. Knox, in Christchurch last evening. “Some were against the 40hour week, saying it would wreck the economy, and cause a downturn in productivity, but that did not happen,” Mr Knox said. “In fact, the ‘boss class’ enjoyed the 40-hour week as much as anyone.’’

“The. Federation of Labour bases its ideas and plans on experience,” said Mr Knox. “We do not dream up schemes, as the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) suggests.”

Mr Knox said that miners in New Zealand had been working 37-hour weeks for

years, and that in Australia 39 per cent of the work-force worked short weeks and were negotiating to spend even less time at work. “The general manager of Borthwick's, Mr Bill Gordon, admits that the four-day week will mean an increase in production of 50 per cent,’’ he said. Mr Knox was : in Christchurch to address Trades Council members as part of a national tour seeking support to oust the Government and replace it with a Labour government.

“A vote for- Labour is a vote for a government which will listen to working people and will govern on the basis of policies rather than per--1 sonalities,” said Mr Knox. “On the other hand, if the National Government is returned to office it will keep

New Zealand on the fast track to rising unemployment, exploitation of our natural resources, high inflation, and falling standards, of living with the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ increasing." Mr Knox said the Government was .responsible for serious ■'‘unemployment, and economic policies that had failed. He outlined troubles Mr Muldoon may have in implementing his "think big” projects. “Labour promises better job opportunities, especially for the young, tax relief, and an attack on inflation,” Mr Knox said.

“Our future is too important to leave in the hands of the present Government which has clearly shown its inability to cope with the problems faced by New Zealand,” Mr Knox said.