The Battle of Hours

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 113, 30 April 1926, Page 5

The Battle of Hours

Mr Bruce Asked to Help CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. EXTREMISTS’ INLUENCE. [By Cable—Press Assn.— Copyright.] (Received 30, 10.35 a.m.) Sydney, April 30, Mr Garden, acting on behalf of unions covered by Federal awards, telegraphed to Mr Bruce requesting him to convene a compulsory conference to consider the 44-hours week question. He also telegraphed to the Labour Councils of the Commonwealth asking for their co-operation. Mr Myhill, Secretary of the Metal Trudes Employers' Association, states that representatives .of the men employed by the Pioneer bpring Company notified the management that the men were prepared to work a 48hours week. Subsequently Mr Bryant, of the Australian Society of Engineers, of which the majority of the men are members, informed the management that the men would not be allowed to work more than 44-hours, but they could work from Monday to Saturday inclusive, as the Union was not bound to observe a five day week. Mr Myhill declared that the association believed the men, if they had their own*way, would obey the law. They were being led, however, by a few extremists.

FEDERAL PREMIER’S REPLY. UNIONS HAVE LEGAL REMEDIES. (Received 30, 11.15 a.mA Melbourne, April 30. Replying to Mr. Garden’s request, Mr. Bruce states that he has no power to call a conference on the question of a 44-hours week. He points out that the unions have legal remedies.