THE 40-HOUR WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 366, 7 March 1932, Page 7

THE 40-HOUR WEEK.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —I feel constrained to answer Councillor Parlane's letter, particularly* the part where he contends that Councillor A. E. Armstrong has never pushed for the adoption of a fortv-hour week in his union. First, I would like to know where Mr Parlanc got his information from. I will inform him that approximately a year ago, when about twenty men were dismissed from the tramways, Mr Armstrong, with a few supporters, tried to get the men to vote in favour of a reduction in hours of work. A ballot was taken and the “ hourly reduction ” vote was about 25 per cent of the votes cast, and those men remained “ sacked.” It has been my privilege to be a member of the Tramway Union Executive in company with Mr Armstrong, and I have always found him solid in his stand for reduced hours of work as an alternative to dismissing men. Mr Parlane says that the 40-hour week must be introduced nationally! What a hope he has in that direction ! More likely Mr Coates will introduce a 60-hour week. I would remind Mr Parlane that the Christchurch City Council is the only Labour governing body in New Zealand, and it is my opinion that it should have taken the lead in reducing the hours of work, seeing that there is a Labour majority. It is my opinion (and I have reasons for them) that among members of the L.R.C. and Labour supporters, Mr Armstrong is viewed with disfavour, mostly because of envy and jealousy. Mr Armstrong is standing alone and yet not alone, for there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, in this city who realise that he is on the right track. Allow me to quote an old verse:— Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose true, and dare to make it known. Stick to your guns, Arthur. Let me assure you that you have at least one supporter in your friend and admirer.— W. ROGERS. Spreydon, March 4, 1932.