Criticise Offer To Cut Work Hours

Northern Advocate, 4 March 1946, Page 3

Criticise Offer To Cut Work Hours

(P.A.i CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Criticism by the secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Labour (Mr. K. Baxter) of the practice of offering a 36-hour week for 40-hour week pay. is generally supported by manufacturers in Christchurch.

Although the offer has been largely made by North Island firms to attract labour, particularly from the south, a similar offer lias been made by a Christchurch firm. “I agree entirely with Mr. Baxter’s contention that a reduction of hours below 3G a week must destroy that economic balance on which stabilisation depends,” said the president of the Federated Garment Council of Now Zealand < Mr. A. M. Hollander) today. "At a time when everybody’s standard of living depends on vital production. and so much overtime is being worked in the clothing trade, it is unsound to have anyone advocating a 36-hour week. FIXING OF PRICES "It is a reflection on the present method of price approvals adonted by the Price Investigation Tribunal which after all is so closely' associated with stabilisation, that extra costs such as a reduced working week are ultimately paid for by the consumer. ‘'Such increased costs are recognised by the Price Investigation Tribunal as an integral part of the basis on which costs are calculated. "While Mr. Baxter’! condemnation is directed at one or two employers in the clothing industries, who are advertising these uneconomic offers, it should be- noted that in recently circulated claims for new awards two member unions of the Federation of Labour—the Woollen Mill Workers’ Union and Federated Clothing Workers’ Union—have both included a 36hour week in their claims." APPARENT ANOMALY When the apparent anomaly of the trades unions claiming a 36-hour week when the proposal had been condemned by the secretary of the ’Federation of Labour, was referred to union officials. it was pointed out that die claims referred to had been lodged before the 36-hour week question was discussed bv the federation.

The point was made that for employers to offer a 36-hour week of thetr own accord was tantamount to an invitation for the unions to have this provision included in claims far now awarcis.