FORTY-HOUR WEEK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20568, 30 May 1941, Page 6

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

WAR EFFORT RETARDED SHORTAGES OF LABOUR POWER BOARD VIEWPOINT With one dissentient, the Poverty Bay Electric-Power Board to-day decided to give full support to a proposal advanced by the Lake County Council with a view to having the 40hour working week limitation removed during the war. It was held by several speakers that the operation of the 40-hour week definitely retarded the war effort, and that the enjoyment of such limitations 01 working hours was incompatible with the serious aspect of the war situation.

When the letter from the Lake County Council was read, the chairman, Mr. F. R. Bail, remarked that while many members would agree with the .proposal, it seemed hardly a matter for a power board to aci upon.

Mr. J. E. Benson considered that it should be discussed by all local bodies. I*le pointed out that labour was becoming scarce in New Zealand, and that farmers arid others could not get their work done because of the limitation of hours. He believed tliai many working-men would welcome the opportunity to work longer hours and so help on war production. He moved that the board support the proposal. Conflicting Opinions

In seconding the motion, Mr. M. T. Trafford said that the board knew from its own experience how difficult it was to get trained men, and if the limitation of hours was eased it origin be possible to get along for a time without taking on more men.

Strong objection to the proposal was voiced by Mr. J. H. Hall, who said that the sponsors were always against the introduction of the 40-hour .week and were now using the war to try to break down a reform which had made New Zealand the envy of other countries. He said that abandonment o', the principle of the 40-hour week would not help the war effort. On the Contrary, it would raise so much feeling among working people that less work rather than more would be done. It could riot be stated tliai there was any natural shortage pi labour, as men could be employed for longer hours, as long as award conditions were observed. Following Britain’s Lead

Mr. W. G. Sherratt supported Mr. Benson’s motion pointing out that New Zealand could well follow The lead of Britain in easing conditions and restrictions on working hours.

“It is not right that we should continue the principle of the 40-hour week in New Zealand when othe; people are fighting for us and working all hours, in addition to facing actual peril from the enemy,” he' said.

Mr. Do Costa also supported the motion.

Mr. Benson assured Mr. Hall that his motion was only intended to apply to the war period. He knew that many men who nominally were restricted to 40 hours a week were actually working longer hours to get extra money.

Mr. Hall. There is no mention in this proposal of men getting more monev for any extra work they do. It is ‘just intended to get more work out of men and women without any extra cost.

Mr. B. J. Holdsworth asked if the troops overseas were paid extra for 24-hour-a-day fighting in the face of the enemy?

The motion was carried, Mr. flail asking that his vote against it be recorded.