FORTY-HOUR WEEK CAUSING A LOSS OF PRODUCTION

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 4

FORTY-HOUR WEEK CAUSING A LOSS OF PRODUCTION

“I would like to see a strong protest entered against the 40-hour week because New Zealand has not tne number of skilled operatives required to maintain production,” declared Mr. S. J. Sullivan, Senr., when a circular was received from the Associated Chambers at the monthly executive meeting last night of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. The Associated Chambers asked for an expression of opinion on the 40hour and five-day week. Mr. Sullivan said he would rather see the working week extended to 44 as was the case in 1935. Mr. A. H. McPhail: But then there is the other side of the picture. The materials are not available tor increased production. Mr. Sullivan: But they would be if there was a longer working week. The president, Mr. S. R. McCallum, said that the county should be concerned about getting sufficient work during the 40 hours. “A fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay is the principle involved,” ne said. At present five hours wfire lost each week because of cuts, said Mr. Sullivan. These cuts direclly affected only a portion of employees, but there was a tendency for others to slow down as well. Consequently, there was less woi\; per week, but v.st.s were still mounting. New Zealand was unlikely to get a 44-hour week when the new Coai Board in Britain was introducing a 40-hour week, said Mr. C. P. Brown. While New Zealand had a shortage of 33 1-3 per cent, of skilled labour in practically every industry it would not be able to overtake the demand for increased production, said Mr. Sullivan. "If they all worked 40 hours a week it would be all right,” he added. “But some are working only the equivalent of a 36-hour week.” While the present Government was in office New Zealand would not revert to a 44-hour week, but if it worked an honest 40-hour week much of the production problems would be solved. On the motion of Mr. Sullivan, the executive referred the question to its industries’ sub-committee.