PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22244, 13 January 1944, Page 4

PUBLIC OPINION

CURRENT VIEWPOINTS INDUSTRIAL ABSENTEEISM (To the Editor) Sir, —When the Government in its wisdom decreed more holidays at Christmastide for those who did not enjoy an annual paid holiday it apparently started an epidemic of holiday-making. So fashionable did the craze become that many people employed in essential industries not only accepted the arranged holidays but added many days on their own account. Absenteeism immediately after the statutory holidays was scandalous, and it has not finished yet. What an amazing mentality some people havel Most of us would never dream of over-staying our holidays, whether in essential industries or not, but in an astonishingly large number there is no sense of responsibility or shame. Their attitude seems to be: “I am going to have a ! good time no matter what the results may be.” The results actually have | been a heavy loss of production at a ; time when the country is fighting for its existence. Often the best paid workers have the least concern about their work and the least loyalty to their industry or their country. Poorer paid men and women cannot afford to play ducks and diiakes with their employment. This is a matter for j the individual conscience. One would | have mo/e faith in the future if during this time of crisis a greater number of people showed an appreciation of their responsibilities.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY.