40-HOUR WEEK.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20248, 17 July 1937, Page 10

40-HOUR WEEK.

ADOPTION IN AUSTRALIA. jglfc 1: t AN ARBITRATOR’S VIEW. (From a Correspondent). MELBOURNE, July 6. Claims made by the combined Federal Publio Service organisations for the' introduction of a 40-hour working week in the service were rejected today In a determination by the Commonwealth Publio Service Arbitrator (Mr J. C. Westhoven). Mr Westhoven said that, In the circumstances, he thought it wise to leave the initiative in this matter to Parliament, where It rightly belonged. “As an individual," said Mr We'sthoven, “I strongly hold the view that, In present-day conditions, the adoption of the 40-hour week Is warranted. At the same time, I am also convinced that It Is not a proper exercisd of the powers vested in the Public Service Arbitrator to venture Into the field of social reform of the community as a whole', and prescribe a reduction of hours of duty in Commonwealth employ as a measure of relief for the social unrest of the community.” Public Servants. In a separate determination, a 44hour week was granted to all Commonwealth employees, with the exception of sleeping-car employees dining-car employees and watchmen. About 100 employees will benefit by social ill?” It had been 6hown at the inquiry, Mr Westhoven said, that there were about 16,400 Commonwealth Public Service employees whose hours of duty were' now 40 a week, and about 29,046 whose working week was in excess of 40 hours. Of these, 23,544 < were in departments coming under the Commonwealth Public Service Act, principally in the' Postmaster-General's Department. Except in a few instances their present hours ol' duty did not exceed 44 a week. Commonwealth’s Leadership. “In Australia,” said Mr Westhoven. '■ “while there is a substantial body or public opinion in favour of the 40hour week, it has not yet been put into operation, except in a few limited and comparatively unimportant in- | dustrial concerns. Because' of its mog- , nitude, its wide ramifications, and the , large number of its employees, tlw Commonwealth holds a natural position of leadership among employers both on its own account and as an example in the industrial and economic field. But, in the present circumstances, is it the proper function oi this tribunal to say that Ihe Common[wealth will give its employees a \O- - hour week as partial remedy for a social ill?” Mr Westhoven said that Ihe reduction of working hours to 40 per week In the case of I hose service employees whose hours of duty were now in excess of 40 was not necessary because of any hardship, physical, or other disability resulting from present conditions. Mr Westhoven commented on Ihe fact, that, in the Commonwealth Public Service, the proportion of youths to adults was now at an extraordinarily low figure.