WAGES AND HOLIDAYS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 April 1937, Page 4

WAGES AND HOLIDAYS

MR. SULLIVAN’S WARNING. [per press association.] WELLINGTON, April 8. X warning that workers in industiy should consider the danger of increasing cost of production beyond an economic level, before seeking further improvements in wages and paid liolidays, was given by the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in a statement made at the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party. Mr. Sullivan emphasised that nothing should be done which would prevent an industry from carrying on. During a debate on a- proposal for paid holidays for all workers, a suggestion was made that a fortnight s annual holidays should be made mandatory. Mr. Sullivan, in speaking to the motion, recalled that some years ago, with the consent of the Parliamentary Labour Party he had introduced a bill providing for a fortnight’s paid holiday for all workers every year. “During the period that Labour has been in power, certain new factors have been introduced,” continued the Minister. “There has been the 40-hour week and the restoration of and increases in wages. Costs of production have thereby been increased. “I am at present investigating the claims of a number of industries that, as a result of our industrial legislation and increased costs, they are no longer able to sustain their position in competition with goods from overseas. My investigation have not yet proceeded to the point where it can be said that the claims can be sustained, but figures do prove that importations have; increased in some of those industries. That may be taken to show that some manufacturers are having difficulty in competing, but our investigations are not yet conclusive. I, have no doubt that the Government, will find a way of solving any difficulty that may be proved. The increase in imports in one or two of the smaller industries has reached 100 per cent., but the turnover on the local market has also increased, so that the New Zealand industry may be benefiting at the same time. Conference will see that this is a most important matter, and we must take care not to do anything that will make it impossible for a local industry to carry on. If a sum of £ 100,000 or £250,000 in costs were added to industry by enforcing extra holidays, the effect might be disastrous. If a thing is impossible. 1 feel sure that conference will not recommend that, we should adopt it.” The conference passed a recoin men-1 dation I hat the Government should be asked to give consideration to making legislative provision for paid annual holidays.