CANADIAN PRODUCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1940, Page 8

CANADIAN PRODUCTION

WORKING WEEK EXTENDED.

[BY CABLE. —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT ] OTTAWA, November 28.' The Minister for Labour (Mr N. A. McLarty) said in the House of Commons that the lengthening of the working week from 44 to 48 hours, or even longer, must be considered, since industrial production had reached a point at which a general labour shortage was approaching. “With the distressing news of havoc in centres such as Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol, and Southampton still ringing in our ears, and with the British Minister for Shipping admitting that sinkings exceed replacements, I suggest that this is no time to think of maintaining standards not accounting for the situation’s urgency,” he said. “The only excuse for asking for a temporary relinquishment of labour standards is that we must win the war and that sacrifice is unavoidable.” Mr McLarty said the Government was considering transferring workers from non-essential industries to war industries. There was also a possibility of abolishing overtime pay. Some unions had already agreed voluntarily to work a 48-hour week. SHIPS FOR BRITAIN. (Recd. November 30, 9.50 a.m.) OTTAWA,, November 29. The Director-General of Shipping (Mr. D. B. Carswell) stated that Canadian shipyards were awaiting the word to begin construction of 18 9500 ton freighters for Britain, for delivery in October.