THE FACTORIES BILL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11712, 23 July 1901, Page 5

THE FACTORIES BILL

A CHBISTCHURCH PROTEST. [by telegraph.— association.] Christchurch, Monday. The Factories Bill was considered to-night by a committee of the Canterbury Employers' Association, and a number of resolutions carried. As regards clause 18 (hours of work), it was pointed out that the Arbitration Court had determined that the condition of various industries, more particularly competitive industries, could not be successfully maintained with fewer than 48 hours. As regards clause 19 (overtime), the proposals were considered impracticable, and it was stated that ,they would not provide for the exigencies of trade. It was impossible to avoid overtime in certain trades at certain seasons, and the penalties provided by the Arbitration Court awards were ; sufficient to discourage the practice. In. reference to clause 30, it was stated that payment to workers when producing nothing would constitute such a serious tax upon competitive industries as ' they were unable to bear. o Payment for sis. holidays and 52 half-holidays in a year was equivalent to five weeks and 56 hours per year, or over 11 per cent, surcharge on labour cost. Section 2, clause 22, read literally, meant that a man discharged 'from employment after five days' service was entitled to claim payment for a number of succeeding halfholidays'and statutory holidays. Clause 35 was unnecessary, as penalties were already provided in existing Acts.. , /