UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22422, 17 November 1934, Page 13

UNEMPLOYED PROBLEM

POSITION IN BRITAIN A SHORTER WORKING WEEK (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 15. (Received Nov. 16, at 5.5 p.m.) The possibility of absorbing more persons in industry by better distribution of employment is engaging the active attention of the Government. The Minister of Labour (Sir Henry Betterton) stated that he had arranged for immediate conversations with representative organisations and workpeople with regard to the general question of hours of labour. He said the practicability of a seven-hour day or five-day week in industry would no doubt be brought under review. The matter was recently the subject of ah appeal by Mr Stanley Baldwin to employers to consider che question of a reduction of overtime, and further reference to it was made in the House of Commons debate on proposals for dealing with depressed areas when the Labour Minister said that an invitation to the discussions had been sent to the National Confederation of Employers and the Trades Union Congress. He hoped to have an opportunity _of discussing with each individual industry the part it could play. He regarded it as a national duty for employers, wherever possible, to assist the Government in the task of dealing with the unemployed.