WORKING WEEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22388, 7 April 1936, Page 14

WORKING WEEK

FORTY-HOUR PROPOSAL CAUTION IN AUSTRALIA FEDERAL INQUIRY PENDING No. I. [from OUR OWN' correspondent] MELBOURNE, March 31 While New Zealand is committed by Government policy to the introduction of a 40-hour week, the question i 3 being explored in Australia much more cautiously. It is realised that the shortening of the hours of labour is not necessarily a solution of the unemployment problem; indeed, it i s likely that unemployment would be increased, because of the effect of shorter hours on what may be called marginal industries.

An officer of the Victorian Chamber of Manufactures, who has made a close study of hours of labour throughout the world, expressed the this week that only one Australian industry—the Broken Hill Proprietaryhad behind it sufficient reserves to ba able to withstand successfully the effect of shortened hours on the cost of p ro ; duction.

This instance is quoted to show that precipitate action by Australia in reducing the working week is extremely unlikely. There is general agreement in all sections of industry that hours are physically harmful and socially undesirable, but it is well to remember that there has been a general tendency in recent years to reduce the hours of labour to the point where workers in many branches of industrT enjoy a week of 44 hours. Some awards prescribe 48 hours, while, on the other hand, there are isolated instances of 40-hour a week awards in Queensland, Latest Statistics The latest statistics show that the normal working week in (averaged figures) is one of 45.36 hours. This is held to compare more than favourably with hours of work in most European countries, where the usual range is from 48 hours to 60 hours, except in the instances of Germany and' Italy. However, in those countries it is well to' remember that shorter hours have given the workers little real extra leisure. The Fascist Saturday, for instance, is devoted to military exercises or other pursuits prescribed by the State.

It is true that Australia, through Sir Frederick Stewart, delegate to the last international Labour convention at Geneva, ranged itself on the side of the 40-hour week, but Sir Frederick, who is a shorter week enthusiast, lias made it clear that Australia's support of the ideal depended on universal application of the principle. Inquiry to be Held

Nevertheless, the Federal Cabinet has shown its willingness to consider the practicability of introducing shorter hours, and has set in tram an inquiry which should result in the collection of valuable data on the subject. The method adopted has been to constitute a conference to examine the whole question in relation to the social, economic and national interests of the Commonwealth. An announcement of the personnel is expected to be made shortly, but already the structure of representation has been determined. _ . The conference will comprise the Chief Judge of the Commonwealth Arbitration Court, Mr. Justice Pethridge, and a representative of Stata industrial tribunals; four employers representing primary industries and manufacturing and commercial interests; four representatives of organised labour; an economist; a doctor; a woman representing consuming interests; an officer of the Commonwealth Treasury (non-voting); and an officer of the Customs Department Announcing this proposal earlv this year, the Prime Minister, Mr. J. tt. Lvons. said the sittings normally wou a be held privately, and witnesses would be called only in special cases at tne direction of the chairman, expected to be Mr. Justice Dethridge., Mr. Lyons added that the Federal Ministry recognised that the Commonwealth Parliament had Jio power legislate generally with respect to hours of labour, which must still be controlled largely by State Parliaments and by industrial tribunals exercising their own judgment in particular cases. The Ministry believed, however, that as much guidance as possible should be obtained by. a full examination of the relevant social, economic and financial considerations. • Victorian Investigation

The subject of a shorter working week was investigated in Victoria last year, but the circumstances of the investigation were not such as to inspire confidence in the findings. Victoria'just now is governed nominally by the Country Party, but it depends for its retention in Office on the support of the Labour Party. Thus, when the Labour Party sponsored a motion in the Legislative Assembly last session for the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the question, the Ministry graciously agreed. The committee comprised seven members, of whom three were Labour members, (one being chairman), two represented the Government Party and two represented the official Opposition. Several of its recommendations were agreed to only on the casting * OIB of the chairman, and it heard evidence, with two exceptions, only from representatives of employees' organisations. It is to say that a general invitation fd" all interested organisations to present their views was extended, but the futility of an inquiry by a committee appointed in the circunistances described was evident from the outset, and the Chambers of Manufactures and Industries and the Lffl* plovers' Federation declined to be associated with the investigation. _ The committee expressed the majority opinion that a shorter working wees was socially aud economically advisable. It recommended, therefore, that a maximum week of 40 hours, without reduction in pay, should be established by law in Victoria. However, it conceded that if the States were to be asked by tliQ Federal Government to ratify the Geneva convention, establishing the principle of a 40-hour ee £» a conference of Premiers should b* called to decide on united action, id view of " the possible consequences upon unemployment relief and Government finances."

" Height of Folly " In spito of its gesture to Laßour by appointing the select committee, there lias been no indication since the repor was persented that the State Ministry is likely to be guilty of the folly ot placing a serious handicap on exports and protected industries by experinien ing with a 40-hour week in Victoria without being assured that other State will take similar action. A large body of opinion -contends, i deed, that it would be the height o folly foi Australia as a whole to liutia i a 40-hour week unless such ac * loU world-wide. "Is Japan likely to. il S r , to a 40-hour week, and, if so, is s likely to pay her workers wages in a way comparable to those paid "? re ' asked one leading industrialist m pressing tersely one aspect ot the P blem. It is contended also,, , a ,_, ; n shortening of the week to 40 hoi , Australia, because of its-effects 0 r cost of production, will make nece > a substantial increase in tar t.; c h the jettisoning of the principle oil , the Ottawa agreements were groi a From that point there will be r short step to the loss of Australian exports. These arg t j on of course, lose no force by app to New Zealand's position as an ™ ing country^