THE HOURS OF LABOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19906, 28 September 1926, Page 9

THE HOURS OF LABOUR

HENRY FORD’S DECISION. FIVE-DAY WEEK ADOPTED. NO REDUCTION IN WAGES. CPreas Association— By Telegraph—Copyright.! NEW YORK, September 25. The New York American states that Mr Henry Ford will immediately put into effect through all the branches of his industries a five-day week, with no work on Saturday or Sunday. The eight-hour day will continue without any overtime, and at least the same pay as for a full six-day week will be assured. Mr Ford’s announcement points out: “This decision in favour of a forty-four-hour week is not sudden. We have been going towards it for three or four years. We have been feeling our way, and now we know from experience that shorter hours and high-pressure production pay and ensure better methods. This country is prepared for a five-day week. It is bound to come throughout all industries. Just as the eight-hour day opened our way to prosperity in America, so the fiveday week will open our way to still greater prosperity.” . . Mr Ford, when asked whether his minimum wage of six dollars a day would be proportionately augmented, said: “We are now working out a wage schedule. We have stopped thinking in terms of a minimum wage. That belongs to yesterday, before we quite knew what paying high wages meant.” —A. and N.Z. Cable.