RULING SOUGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 222, 18 September 1940, Page 6

RULING SOUGHT.

EXTENSION OF HOURS. PROCEEDINGS INVITED. HAMILTON, thia day. In a letter to the Labour Department, the Hamilton firm of A. M. Bieley and Company has invited the Department to take proceedings against them if necessary to secure a ruling in the Courts as to whether willing men should be permitted to work more than 40-hours a week. The firm's staff recently telegraphed the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, conveying a resolution passed at a stop-work meeting stating that the men who were engaged on work essential to primary production were willing and urged the Prime Minister to give permission to follow the example of workers in Britain, and work such hours at standard rates of pay as were considered essential. The telegram added: "In the interests of freedom and the Empire, we urge the Government to bring in regulations permitting this t6 be done for the duration of the war." Mr. Fraser acknowledged the patriotic spirit shown and appreciation of the offer, and referred the resolution to the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb. The staff of 24 worked 45 hours a week for some time until a shortage of steel for harvesting machinery caused a reversion to 40 hours. Supplies have now come to hand and the firm proposes reinstating the 45-hour week. The men have been informed by the union representative that they may work extra hours only at overtime rates of pay. The firm, however, is asking the Department for a decision as to whether the extra work will be sanctioned at standard rates and expresses its willingness to submit to prosecution, if necessary, to obtain a ruling in the matter, which is considered of national importance in the present emergency.