FORTY HOUR WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20624, 27 May 1935, Page 7

FORTY HOUR WEEK.

Commission Suggested to Study Proposal. A suggestion that a commission should be appointed to consider the question of introducing the 40-hour week to New Zealand was made at a meeting of the Christchurch Unemployment Committee to-day. The subject was discussed when a letter was received from the Minister of Employment (the Hon S. G. Smith) in reply to the committee’s request that the Government should convene a conference to consider the advisability of promoting legislation enabling the 40-hour week to be introduced. The Minister stated that he had noted the views of the committee, and would be pleased to place the matter before the Unemployment Board. “ Why the Unemployment Board?” asked Mr W. E. Leadley. “ We are dealing with the Government.” Mr Leadley added that he did not think a great deal would be achieved at a conference. There would be a good deal of talk and a lot of time wasted. It would be better if the subject were investigated by a commission. Mr J. S. Barnett: Isn’t the Government making the Unemployment Board into a Royal Commission ? The chairman (Mr E. H. Andrews) said that the committee had written to the acting-Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works on the subject, as well as to the Minister of Employment. Their replies had not yet come to hand. The Minister’s letter was received.