FORTY-HOUR WEEK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20572, 4 June 1941, Page 7

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

COUNCIL DISCUSSION DECISION HELD OVER By a majority of nine to one, the Gisborne Boi'ough Council last evening held over for further discussion a proposal of the Lake County Council that representations be made to the Government for the suspension of the 40-hour week for the duration of the war.

The Lake County Council wrote pointing out that hampering restrictions were affecting the war effort and that the waiving of privileges of both employers and employees for the duration of hostilities was fully warranted. ! The Mayor, Mr. N. 11. Bull, suggested that no one could cavil at the proposals advanced, and to test the opinion of the council he moved that support be given to the movement. Mr. H. H. De Costa seconded the motion, declaring that no country could win a war on a 40-hour week. Mr. J. H. Hall opposed the motion, stating that the terms of the proposal were suspicious. He held that under present conditions there was no bar to an employer working his men as long as he liked, if he paid them. The sponsors of this movement wished to secure extended hours for workers without any increase in wages cost. It would profit no one but the manufacturers, and actually would do nothing to help the war effort. Too Early For Divisions

Mr. It. Morse associated himself with Mr. Hall’s opposition to the motion. He held that it would promote unemployment in the country. Mr. Morse suggested that it was regrettably early in the life of ' the council to have a division on a mere circular letter which another body had wisely decided should lie upon the table. A point which should be considered was that the 40-hour week assisted those who were giving voluntary service in various home-defence and emergency organisations, and so limiting their nermal leisure time. Dr. A. L. Singer said that it seemed to be a question of finance entirely, as the circular, he took it, favoured extra hours of pay at normal rates, instead of overtime rates. He thought, however, that this was one of those national policy matters which a previous council had decided did not lie within the municipal province. Mr. F. Tolerton also expressed regret that the matter had come up at this stage. If it was a question of munition supply, or some similar point that would help the country, the council might well deal with it. He considered that there was somethin,!! to be said for the argument that it was hard to see how tho suspension of the 40-hour week at present wot; Id help the country. ,• :

Mr. H. E. Maude 'moved as an amendment that the. council stand the matter over until next meeting, so that it could be further studied. Dr. Singer seconded the amendment, which was adopted, Mr. De Costa recording his vote against it.