THE USE OF LEISURE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 141, 16 June 1924, Page 7

THE USE OF LEISURE

GUIDING THE WORKER

QUESTION FOR GENEVA LABOUR CONFERENCE SOME AUSTRALIAN OPINIONS. fBl-fTBD PRES3 ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGBT.) (AUSTRAUAS-NEW ZEALAND CABLB ASSOCIATION.) (Received 16th June, 11 a.m.) GENEVA, 15th June. The Australian delegation to the International Labour Conference ha-s arrived. Approximately fifty States, including Germany, will take part in the conference, which will open to-morrow. The delegates, replying to inquiries as to whether the conference should con- ; sider detailed recommendations concerning the principles to be followed and the methods to be adopted to ensure the profitable utilisation of workers' leisure, said that the view of New South Wales was that the most satisfactory result was likely to be obtained with the minimum of interference. There was little need for the adoption of special means to ensure the profitable utilisation of leisure, but there was no objection to the discussion and adoption of suitable recommendations framed with a view to the conserving and extending the opportunities of the workers. They had a wide choice for the selection of useful ways of enjoying their leisure hours. It was desirable to extend the distinctions between employers and employees into their leisure hours.

Queensland favours any scheme tending to improve the workers' health, education, and recreation, and emphasises the importance of providing an adequate number of cheap and sanitary dwellings with a view to facilitating the utilisation of leisure time. The South Australia states, in view of the regulation of hours and the facilities for the existence of a general organisation of labour, there is no need for action. Tasmania's reply is in the affirmative, but the State points out that in Australia, where individualism is strongly developed, the question should be approached With extreme caution.

Victoria does not consider it desir able to make any recommendation.