WONDERS OF FORTYHOUR WEEK IN N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 March 1947, Page 5

WONDERS OF FORTYHOUR WEEK IN N.Z.

MINISTER’S PRAISE OF THEM TO N.S.W. Recd. 9.50 p.m. Sydney, March 6 A spirited defence of the 40-hour week, as in operation in New Zealand, was made by the Attorney-General (Mr. Martin) in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, during a debate on the 40-hour week Amendment Bill.

“The wailings which took place when the forty-hour Bill was introduced into the New Zealand. Parliament in 1936 are being repeated in this Chamber, almost word for word.” he said. “These wailings, dire forebodings, moanings and despairing cries about the actual position in New Zealand, have been proved to be arrant nonsense. What is it that we find? A country that has developed production as it never had before!” He challenged statements by the Opposition leaders that the 40-hour week had failed in New Zealand bysaying that, despite the presence of industries there that did not exist before, the people enjpyed leisure such as they had never known.

“Wherever one goes in that glorious Dominion, one of the most beautiful places God ever created, one finds citizens able to travel and use their leisure. But the people are not working hard merely in order to spend part of their time in play, but in order to live fully and well.” Though it was, true that certain facilities were not available at weekends, it was equally true that the

people had accommodated themselves io slight inconveniences. He did not find a single person who complained, though he did not move much in Employers’ Federation circles. He deniec that the economic structure was suffering, and said that though there had been some costs, New Zealand haci been able to pay them as well as bring about increased production. He defied the Opposition to produce the opinion of one competent economist that the 40-hour week had adversely affected New Zealand economy. He could not say that all the good he saw in New Zealand flowed Horn the 40-hour week, but members could not say there was unemployment in New Zealand, or that New Zealanders had not enough money to spend on reasonable pleasure. They were clothed quite well and New Zealand was producing shoes, boots and licLS, as well as clothing.

New Zealand’s performance in housing was remarkaole. In the Hutt Valley were 2000 homes ot a character that would delight members. Wherever one went one found groups of these houses built under tne 40hour week. The greatest boon, however, was enjoyment of the long weekend. This had been met by the improvement and increase in play and lecreational facilities.

The fact was tAat people in New Zealand had shown their desire to use leisure reasonably and properly. Statistics did not prove everything. New Zealand was tnriving and her people were happy and contented. “It is important t.iat these things should be known to this Chamber and to the people of the State so that all might realise that the wails and meanings that are to be heard arc only those that we have always heard when any important social advance has been brought forward.’’