RAILWAY CLERKS

Southland Times, Issue 23024, 19 October 1936, Page 8

RAILWAY CLERKS

40-Hour Week Near At Hand “GOVERNMENT FEELS FRIENDLY” (United Press Association.) Wellington, October 18. The resumption of goodwill promotions very soon, and the introduction of a 40-hour week, as soon as possible among clerical workers of the Railway Department, were mentioned by the Minister of Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) at the annual smoke concert and reunion of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute on Saturday night. Mr Sullivan said all he could say about the transition to the 40-hour week was that there had recently been presented for consideration by Cabinet a report on the introduction of the 40hour week for the clerical divisions of the service, and he hoped, that after the session, Cabinet would have the opportunity of considering it in all its bearings. “We want to put it into operation as soon as possible,” he said. “We feel friendly toward you and. if we can find a reasonable way of getting out of the difficulties which face us, we will be only too happy to find that way. Your officers have been interviewing me, and pressing it upon me, and it will come in the near future.”

The Government would be pleased to do something in connection with goodwill promotions, he said, and he had every sympathy with the men affected, as their positions were represented to him. Very soon they would bo given some promotion.