LABOUR UPHELD

Grey River Argus, 1 December 1938, Page 12

LABOUR UPHELD

FRIENDLY COMMENT.

LONDON, October 27.

Just as there are unfriendly English critics of Labour rule in New Zealand,so are there supporters. These include Mr W. A. Wayland, chairman of the Empire Day Movement, and Lady Swaythling, who have expressed their opinions publicly. ‘“Certain 'comments which have been published on the results of the New Zealand elections seem to transgress the unwritten laws of non-interfer-ence and trust which lie at the root of Empire solidarity,” Mr Wayland wrote in a letter to th® Press. -

“With a curious similarity of thought and phrase these comments have suggested that Mr Savage and his Government (after scrupulously maintaining for three years New Zealand’s unbroken tradition of financial integrity and showing that, in New Zealand, loyalty to the Motherland knows no difference of party) will use the renewed vote of confidence reposed in him by his own people as (sanction to embark on. a financial policy which will ultimately lead to default on the National Debt. “Even had not Mr Savage and the High Commissioner in London both given repeated assurances to the contrary, the entertainment of guch a suspicion would have been unjustified. Now that the Prime Minister has once again categorically said that ‘Our obligations to Britain will be met in full. ... We have met our obligations in the past, and will meet them in the future,’ it is to be hoped that this mischief-making campaign of sowing distrust within the Empire family will stop.

. “This is no time to alienate c fc r even to strain Empire loyalties. New Zealand must work out her own salvation. The future alone‘will decide the success or non-success of the Government’s programme. What would be impossible in Great Britain may be possible in New Zealand.” “Since my return from New Zealand some months ago I have heard many discussions on the 40-hour week as it affects the hotel services in that country,” La’dy Swathling wrote. “British visitors to the Dominion are apt to become irritated by having to take their evening meals before 7.30 o’clock, and complain that they are not accustomed to such restrictions in their own country or on the Continent.

“Without entering into a discussion on the merits of the 40-hour week generally, I should like to point out that British visitors, instead of magnifying what are in reality trifling inconveniences, might. give attention to the humantarian aspects of the matter. ..

“The New Zealander,; more democratically advanced than' the average Briton, sees no reason why; hotel servants should be denied working conditions which are enjoyed' by their fellow men and women, and contends that the hotel servant should be allowed to enjoy the facilities for leisure, entertainment, sport, and home life which are available to the rest of the community.

“Such grievances as I have heard concerning this aspect of. hotel service in the Dominion are really very minor matters when one thinks for a moment about the enthusiastic hospitality proffered to British visitors by the people of New Zealand. “I have twice left England in the winter and arrived in New Zealand to spend delightful summer holidays. 'lt i s an ideal country for motoring and for enjoying country life and pursuits. The hotels are mostly simple, but comfortable and clean, and, they keep on improving. It is noteworthy, also, that improved hours of labour and higher wages of hotel servants in the Dominion are going a long way towards breaking down the 'tipping’ system, which New Zealanders regard as a form of blackmail degrading to donor and recipient alike.” ’