40-HOUR WEEK REACTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24132, 26 November 1941, Page 6

40-HOUR WEEK REACTS

How the operation of the 40-hour week hopples output and deprives the fighting forces of recruits was brought out in a case heard by the Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday. The footwear industry, heavily engaged in the manufacture of army boots, obtained the release of no fewer than 62 workers from military service. It was admitted, nevertheless, that fewer men need be reserved for the industry if overtime at ordinary rates could be worked on Saturday mornings. The difficulty is that on prices as fixed at present the industry cannot afford to pay overtime, New Zealand loses the extra production, and many men are held back from service. The restrictive effect of the 40-hour week could not be better exemplified, nor could the case for relaxation in wartime be more cogently demonstrated. One effect is that, because more single men have to be held back for industries tied to the 40hour week, the conscription of married men will operate earlier. Such an onerous sequel cannot be defended as part of the price of clinging to the 40-hour week. Those privileged by exemption from the strains and risks of service should be found willing to return to the community work in addition to the measured five days of eight hours. The difficulty has been the legislative shackles placed on working conditions. The Government must be brought to see the scandalous anomalies produced by the persistence of these laws side by side with the operation of conscription. Those reserved for the production frontshould expect and are probably willing to render the maximum service in what should be an all-in effort, Tt is for the Government to ensure this by freeing industry to do its full part.