EXTRA LEISURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 18

EXTRA LEISURE

FORTY-HOUR WEEK WORKERS' USE OF TIME EDUCATION AND SPORT A LESSON FROM HISTORY In what way nvill the community take advantage of the opportunities for increased leisure afforded by the 40hour week? Educationalists and othcis see in extra leisure manifest advantages, and also some dangers, ascribing to the view of the Minister of 1' inance, Hon. W. Nash, that there should be proper education for the enjoyment of leisure. Administrators of various sports are already considering tho possibilities as they affect their particular interests, although the extent and the manner of the application of the shorter working week are yet in doubt. "Jt lias always seemed to me something of a tragedy that our so-called advance in civilisation has meant increased toil, so that the average person has strictly limited chances of cultural development," said Professor A. 13. Fitt, professor of education at Auckland University College. "I certainly agree with,the theory that we should aim to increase leisure, a trend, of course, that brings tremendous responsibilities on the educational side to ensure that a person can use his ability in a way that will be of advantage to himself and to society." Adult Education Professor Fitt pointed out that the trend toward shorter working hours might conceivably develop in the direction of an earlier retirement from many classes of work than is now usual. It would bo unfortunate, however, if a State launched any such scheme without adequately preparing the individual for retirement. Unless it did so, toil to advanced years might be the lesser of two evils. As society was constituted to-day, the average man regarded his day as comprising so many hours of work with so many hours for recuperation from the fatigue of toil. That recuperation often included very light and superficial entertainment. There was every need for the extension of adult education, as otherwise people were likely to have an entirely wrong conception of leisure, so that instead of helping the State, they would actually be hindering it. Adult education need not necessarily be a thing of academic classes, but something that extended into and touched the lives of the people. Libraries should be developed. Art galleries could be invested with more interest, so that a person would visit them for entertainment, and possibly instruction and inspiration. Public Life and Arts Between the trend toward greater leisure to-day and conditions in Ancient Greece there are certain points of similarity which were touched on by Professor C. ,G. Cooper, professor of Classics at Auckland University College. Ho pointed out that machinery in our age was bringing about the same opportunities for leisure that the Greek citizen enjoyed because slave labour performed most services. The Greek ideal toward the cultivation of leisure was participation or interest in public life and in the arts. If citizens had not had the opportunity to apply leisure in such a manner, Greece could hardly have entered upon tho most brilliant period of culture in the world's history.

It. was therefore of happy significance that the Government, judged by recent remarks by the Minister of Finance, realised the need for proper education in the application of leisure. The Government appeared to recognise the Greek ideal not only toward culture but also in the attitude toward public life, the broadcasting of debates in the House of Representatives being a very definite attempt to increase interest and activity in the country's affairs. Proper Direction Needed Professor Cooper also drew a significant parallel between conditions •in Ancient Greece and later in Rome. In Rome the same chances to enjoy leisure were afforded citizens as slave labour became general in the life of the community, but there was no proper direction of leisure, which tended to idleness among the citizen community. To divert the people certain forms of entertainment such as the arena became general with melancholy results. "There is one thing that is unfortunate in the present trend to shorten working hours by legislation," added Professor Cooper. "It very much looks as if the professional classes will suffer because many will not be able to limit, their hours. For example, doctors will probably have to go on working as before." More Time for Sport The absence of definite knowledge as to liow the shorter week will apply is causing sports bodies to await developments. "Wo do not yet know to what' extent the 40-hour week will operate over the community," said Mr. N. C. Snedden, a member of the management committee of tho Auckland Cricket Association. "Nor do wo kuow whether it will be a five-day week of 40 hours. If there were a general full holiday on Saturday we would welcome it from a cricket point of view. It would make possible one-day matches, which would be much fairer to players than games spread over two half-days in two weeks when tho weather or wicket conditions might be dis-similar. Moreover, it would mean that playing a full day of cricket each week would make players fitter. There is no doubt that if the week-end is extended generally, we would have one-day matches." "If Saturday wore to be generally observed as a full-day holiday, the solution would bo simple," said Mr. A. Tilly, a member of the Auckland executive of the Rugby Union. "So far as we can gather, however, most shops and officer will remain open on Saturday morning, so that those who enjoy the change will largely bo factory operatives, tradesmen and artisans. As our teams are mostly composed of players of mixed occupations, there ii.ro ohvious difficulties against playing games on Saturday mornings." Mr. G. Grey Campbell, chairman of tho committee of the Auckland Rugby League, paid if Saturday were a universal holiday, the leagu* would undoubtedly take full advantage of it. Reserve grado games might well bo played in the morning. Furthermore, opportunity could be taken to have senior B matches played on Saturday morning at C'arlaw Park. A difficulty had been to give such grades the chance to appear at Carlaw Park.