RATIONING WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20761, 2 January 1931, Page 9

RATIONING WORK.

EFFECT OF ABOLITION.

SERIOUS RESULT EXPECTED.

BALLOT OF SHOP WORKERS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received Janus-Sr 1. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 1.

Employers and industrial leaders state that the abolition of rationing work for people in private employ will not only operate disastrously against ft large body of employees, but will also have ft bad effect upon industry itself. The employers unanimously declare that the 44-hour week will have a disastrous effect upon New South Wales. Mr. R. Marks, ex-presidenfc of the Chamber of Manufactures, said: "Poor old New South Wales is going to be pushed right into the background. Our manufacturers cannot possibly compete with those of other States which are working 48 hours a week and neither can our business people." Industrial leaders expressed the opinion that shop assistants, if given the opportunity, would decide in favour of rationing to avoid dismissals. The Sydney Morning Herald says city shop assistants in a number of large establishments have intimated that they are prepared to continue rationing rather than face dismissal, which they realise the Government's latest decision must mean for large numbers. Secret ballots in two large city stores resulted overwhelmingly in favour of rationing. In one case a union official appeared during the progress of the balloting and protested. He was ordered off the premises.

Subsequently he thins explaiued tho grounds of his protest: " Although tha entire staff was asked to decide whether they favoured the present system of rationing, only one-third of the employees have been rationed. Hi is unfair to hold a ballot among those not affected by rationing."