PAID HOLIDAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23356, 26 May 1939, Page 18

PAID HOLIDAYS

INSTITUTION BY ACT - OBJECTIONS RAISED MATTER FOR THE COURT [by TELEGRAPH OWN correspondent] TE AROHA, Thursday The action of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in preparing for file introduction into the House of Representatives of a bill to govern tho annual paid holidays of employees without a prior investigation of the position by the Arbitration Court was criticised at a meeting of the Thames Valley Electric-Power Board. A letter was received from the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association asking the board 1 for any objections it may have against the proposal of the Minister. It was stated in the letter that it was proposed to give a fortnight's holiday annually to each employee. "It is the duty of the Arbitration Court to deal with a question such as this," said Mr. P. R. Hawke, "and I object to the Minister taking the stand that he has." "The Prime Minister has been telling workers that they should not ask for any more concessions, and here is a Minister going against his wishes," said Mr. W. C. Kennedy. "It is ridiculous and absurd to suggest that Ave can give men tliese holidays without a further imposition on the taxpaj-ers. The higher costs to-day will eventually put the farmer out of business, and -this board should emphatically protest against an increase in costs." Mr. H. M. Corbett: All increases in wages and holidays should be considered by the Arbitration ' Court. Nothing should be done which will increase costs any further. Mr. J. F. Mayn: The Arbitration Court exists to deal with just such a proposal. The matter was left to the executive officers.