EXTENSION OF HOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1941, Page 5

EXTENSION OF HOURS

A RENEWED REQUEST

AUCKLAND MANUFACTURERS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 17. Further representations are to be made by the Auckland Manufacturers' Association to the Government urging extension of worJ :ing hours under certain conditions.

The question was introduced at a meeting of the association by Mr. F. N. Ambler, who said that many factories would work % extra hours if normal rates of pay only were payable. It should be sufficient if both the employers and workers affected were agreeable to this. In view of the need to increase production and keep down costs, the Government should bring in legislation to permit of extension of hours, which would mean more wages for workers. Like other factory owners, he was not prepared to employ labour on Saturdays and pay overtime rates, which could not be passed on. , The chairman, Mr. W. J. Truscott, considered that the time was opportune to approach the Government again on the question, in view of the recent statement by the Prime Minister that some modification regarding hours might be necessary. Mr. S. H. Hunter said that though some industries wanted to extend weekly hours beyond 40, others did not seek an extension because 'materials were insufficient in quantity for an increase in manufacturing. Mr. V. H. Dearsley pointed out that boot manufacturers were engaged on munitions work, but a request for extension of hours was rejected by the Government.