EXTENDED HOURS’ PAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1940, Page 12

EXTENDED HOURS’ PAY

TEST CASE SOUGHT. 1 ‘ , I [per press association.] ■ HAMILTON, September 18. Inviting a ruling, by prosecution in Court if necessary, whether willing men- would be permitted to work more than 40 hours a week, a Hamilton firm, Bisley and Company, has addressed a letter to the Labour Department. I The firm’s staff recently telegraphed the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) conveying a resolution passed at a stop-work meeting stating that men who were engaged in. work essential ito primary production were willing ' and urged the Prime Minister to give them permission to follow the ex--1 ample of the workers of Britain and work such hours at standard rates of pay as were considered essential, i “in the interests of freedom and our Empire.” They added: “We urge the Government to bring in regulations permitting this to be done for the duration of the war.” Mr Fraser acknowledged the patriotic spirit shown and appreciation of the offer, and referred the resolution to the Minister for Labour (Mr Webb). The staff of 24 worked 45 hours a week for some time until a shortage of steel for harvesting machinery caused a reversion to 40 hours. Supplies' have now come to hand and the firm proposes to reinstitute the 45hour week. The men have been informed by the union representative that they may work the extra hours only on overtime rates of pay. The firm is asking for a decision whether extra work will' be sanctioned at standard rates; and expresses its willingness to submit to prosecution, if necessary, to obtain a ruling on the matter, which is considered of national importance in the present emergency.