FEWER WORKING HOURS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 3, 1 December 1944, Page 5

FEWER WORKING HOURS

MINISTER'S PREDICTION

(Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 30 The view that after the war there would have to be a progressive and substantial reduction of working hours if everyone were to have an opportunity to engage in productive work was expressed in the Legislative Council today by the Leader of the Council (Mr McLagan), who" is also Minister of National Service and Industrial Manpower. Improved methods of production would be counter-balanced in that way, Mr McLagan said, and the danger of mass unemployment that existed during the depression would be avoided. Mr McLagan's remarks were prompted by a reference in the second reading debate on the Unrra Bill to claims by the dairy factory workers for a five-day, 40-hour week. As one who had a part in drafting the original proposals for stabilisation, he could say it was not intended that low wages and bad conditions should be stabilised. It was intended to stabilise the normal wages and conditions obtaining at that time. "Normal" meant up to the general standard, but the principle was retained that there should be an opportunity for persons in receipt of low wages, or working under bad conditions, to put up a case, and if the case was proved the conditions could be rectified. It was well-known that the wages of the dairy factory workers were not up to the standard and the workers were following the normal course of meeting their employers in conference to make claims lor a new award. They were asking for certain improvements, as they were entitled to do, and if they were successful within limits there could be no infringement of stabilisation. It was true that the production from dairy farms went on seven days a week, but that was no bar to attainment of a five-day week. A six-day week was recognised in dairy factories today and a five-day week could be worked by employing more men and "staggering" hours.

After the war it would be necessary to resort to a deliberate plan for a reduction of hours. It was true that there was a shortage of dairy factory workers today, but the Minister understood the workers who were seeking a five-day week had announced their willingness to work longer if called upon and so assist in a difficult period.