SHORT WORKING HOURS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1930, Page 7

SHORT WORKING HOURS

“A BRAKE ON INDUSTRY.”

' CRITICISM OF AUSTRALIA. Short working hours prevailing in Australian industry and commerce were criticised by Sir Thpmas Henley, a mem; ber of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, who is returning to Australia by the Aorangi after a visit to the Islands. He eaid that compared with Honolulu, where 48 hours a week was the rule, Australians were working unnecessarily shore time. “The clerk and the manager in Honolulu work the same hours as the pick-and-shovel man,” said Sir Thomas. “Forty-eight hours is the rule in industry in Government and in private enterprise alike.' Everyone works from 8 a.m. io noon, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 o’clock and. 4 o’clock teas are never thought of. The short hours worked ill Australia are a brake on industry. “In Honolulu the Government just governs, and it umpires the running of all public utilities. Trams, gas,- electric light and power, telephones and wireless are all owned and fully controlled by public companies under well-order-ed franchises. There is, therefore, no waste, but full efficiency and scope for investment and self-expression. The greatest lesson, a public man can learn in an American city is the advantage the public receives through the Government confining itself to governing and letting the people do the trading. If Australia would follow that wise example 90 per cent, of her troubles would end.”

Sir Thomas said he was impressed with the absence of drunkenness and want in Honolulu. “I was not asked to drink anything intoxicating,” he said. “Those who hunt for it may find it. Honolulu is a model city and will grow more and more as a tourist resort. It is said that Honolulu is the melting-pot of all the races of the earth. If that is true, then the best hast come to the' top. The pushing business elements dominate. You need not take a clothes brush to Honolulu, as there is no dust and no horse-drawn traffic.” ■ ,- r