MR. LANGSTONE AT GENEVA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23395, 11 July 1939, Page 8

MR. LANGSTONE AT GENEVA

In their enthusiastic advocacy of causes, Labour Ministers seem on occasion to show a complete disregard for effects. A striking example is afforded in the proceedings of the Intei-national Labour Conference at Geneva, where Mr. Langstone, representing the New Zealand Government, opposed a motion postponing consideration of the question of reducing hours of work. No doubt there were dozens of good Labour men present who would have wished to support Mr. Langstone in his opposition but for their greater sense of responsibility. They looked beyond the desirability of shorter hours to the effect on national security. Shorter hours would limit the national effort of all those countries ratifying the decisions.of the International Labour Organisation, but would have had no effect on the absentees, of whom the most notable are Germany, Italy and Japan. These three might thus be enabled to steal a march in warlike output. Germany is already setting the pace with a week of 54 and oven 60 hours. In the long run industrial progress and social betterment depend on national security. That must come first. The conference showed good sense, with the exception of Mr. Langstone and the New Zealand workers' delegate, in refusing to consider a subject that could only embarrass the Governments affected. No doubt all had in mind the deadly weakening of the French nation in face of aggressive neighbours by the operation of the 40-hour week. Mr. Langstone and his colleagues should ponder this lesson. The ideal must be made to harmonise with the real if it is to survive.