FORTY-HOUR WEEK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12254, 9 April 1935, Page 4

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

TO REDUCE UNEMPLOYED., GOVERNMENT ASKED TO CALL CONFERENCE. WELL-KNOWN ECONOMIST OPPOSES PLAN. ePross Afiso/'!.a.t!o«t} CHRISTCHURCH, April 8: The Christchurch Unemployment Committee decided to-day to ask the Government to call a conference representative of all authorities interested to consider the introduction of a shorter working week in the Dominion. The committee set up a .sub-com-mittee last- year to secure the opinions of several organisations on the proposal, and when the report of the sub-committee was received, the committee carried the following resolution : “That with a view to reducing the number of unemployed in New Zealand this committee urges the , Government to convene a Dominion conference during the Parliamentary recess to consider the advisability of introducing legislation providing for a 40-hour week in New Zealand without reduction of pay, such conference to comprise economists, reprentatives of trade unions, employers, manufacturers. Chambers of Commerce, Alliance of Labour, local authorities, and Government Departments. The committee approves of the principle of a 40-hour week.” The committee had before it- a memorandum from Professor Tocker. Canterbury College, who had hern asked to submit his views. Professor Tocker condemned tho plan,' saying that it would increase unemployment, increase the cost of living, and "disturb trade generally.