FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13317, 18 January 1912, Page 4

FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

NO SATURDAY WORK

INNOVATION IN SYDNEY

The Sydney Chamber of Manufacturers is to consider tho question of a live days' working week at thenaxt mooting, writes the Sydney correspondent of the Auckland "Herald."- Tho idea has been put into practice by several large firms hero, but it is not contended even by its strongest supporters that the principle can bo applied all round. It is claimed by advocates of the system that manufacturers derive benefits from its adoption, for they say that expenses are diminished and wore work is done. The ordinary iiturday of four or 4-J- hours does not according to the arguments used, produce 50 per cent, of tho work of an ordinary working day. Tho hands s;;me in realising that there is before them only a half-day, ami they do not settle down to work as they do on a longer day. They never get a proper ''move" on, and, consequently, the manufacturer gets a less output than he should. On the other hand, it is argued that by making the four or five- hours up in the- five full working :h>ys tlie goods aye turned out umk>r tho influence of that '"swing," giving a better aggregate, and in addition saving the expense of starting and maintaining the machinery.

The idea, however, is not without opponents, and very strenuous opponents too. The Eight Hours' Committee will fight against it tooth and nail. They have already discussed it, and, arising out of that consideration, a sub-committee lias been making inquiries around the city, the full tenor of which will be announced at a meeting of the committee next mouth. It is stated that the workers for the most part are against the innovation, upon tho great principle of eight hours. "What," it is askc:l, "is tho good of a union demanding eight hours if wo allow employers t) work their employees nine or 9.} hours?" The only people who do regard the idea with pleasure, according to the officers, are the females in the boot and tailoring trades, and their judgment has been swayed by tho inducement of a full day's holiday. They are said to have outvoted the men on the question, but the committee intends to put up a big light, and, it is stated, they will even pp so far as to approach the Government in connection with it.

The short week has, as has already V-en stated, been adopted in several places in this city, and the reports concerning it are that it is working satisfactorily. It is considered by some firms tliat nny trade worked by machinery should, tho proprietors think, find the new arrangement to their advantage, Experience has proved to them that the percentage of work done on Saturday morning tines not exceed 30, and "frequently falls as low as 20.

On the other hand a leading business man considers that it would bo a dangerous innovation, because it would destroy the continuity of the week, and make the week-end break top long. Ho fails to see how any firm can benefit by it. Saturday, ho .-■ays, is a short morning, but many things must be done on it.