LONGER WORKING HOURS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 12

LONGER WORKING HOURS

Master Butchers’ View

EXTENSION AS WAR MEASURE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) ROTORUA, February 13.

A plea for real economy and the utilization of all the productive resources of the Dominion, and u suggestion that in view of the shortage of labour the time was ripe for the Government and workers to consider an extension of working hours as a war measure were features of the annual report of the New Zealand Master Butchers’ Industrial Association presented at the eighth conference, which opened in Rotorua today.

There are 20 remits for consideration. Mr. J. F. Carter, Palmerston North, is presiding. The report stated that the effects of wage increases and higher taxes had not been fully felt but they would hamper enterprise as working capital was drawn upon for taxes and loans. The effects of control were surprisingly small. Though the war exercised greater influence, the petrol restriction affected many businesses seriously. Readjustments of delivery operations had been made in some districts and others cut out. In the past delivery had been found unprofitable, and while some trade was lost by nondelivery most found it more profitable than when deliveries were undertaken. Live stock were in good condition and feed was plentiful as the result of a favourable season, and the predictions for a favourable lambing season had been justified. It was estimated that there were nearly 18,000,000 lambs for the current year, beating the 193 S record.