THE FIVE-DAY CHRISMS BREAK

Evening Star, Issue 25047, 14 December 1943, Page 6

THE FIVE-DAY CHRISMS BREAK

MANY EMPLOYERS WELCOME IT MINISTER ANSWERS GRITIGS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. Tne Minister of Labour, Hon. P. C. Webb, said to-day that the statement made on Saturday by the secretary of the Employers' Federation that the Industrial Rest Period Emergency Regulations involved a breach of • the Stabilisation Regulations, conveyed a wrong impression, and also contained several misstatements regarding the effect of the regulations. Mr Webb said it was well known that the workers' organisations had endeavoured for years to obtain the provision of annual holidays with pay. It was estimated that 153,000 workers covered by awards and industrial agreements received annual holidays of from five to 14 days, and in some cases three weeks each year. Approximately 72,000 workers had no such provision, although a large proportion of this number would receive holidays voluntarily granted by their employers during the Christmas period. A number of em? ployers of large concerns had told him prior to the issue of the regulations that they proposed to grant such paid holidays, although they were not bound to do so. Having regard to the relatively small number of Avorkers who would not enjoy a paid rest at Christmas time, compulsorily or voluntarily, the figure of £750.000 in the wages increase quoted was grossly overstated. Mr Webb also denied that a breach of the Stabilisation Regulations would result. Section 111. of the Emergency Regulations Act, 1939, provided full power to make such emergency regulations as might be found necessary for maintaining essential services and generally for safeguarding the interests and maintaining and [promoting the welfare of the community. Apart from industrial fatigue, it was well known to the Employers' Federation and employers generally that the situation this year was causing considerable unrest among the workers throughout the Dominion, both on account of the loss of paid special holidays due to the incidence of Christmas Day and New Year's Dav. and also because of the prolonged strain due to the war effort.

Since the regulations had been issued, Mr Webb added, he had received messages from employers welcoming the definite break which brought all workers into line. Moreover, before making the announcement, he had personally attended a conference of woi;kers' and employers' organisations, and had fully stated the Government's intentions' before the regulations were either signed or announced. r