WORKING HOURS AND WAR EFFORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 28, 13 March 1942, Page 4

WORKING HOURS AND WAR EFFORT

Sir,—Two letters in Monday's Beacon, those of Messrs Gow and Wilson and of Mr Hogan are of more than passing interest. The former voiced the oft repeated grievance regarding the* 40-hour week, the latter the absurdity of the gold value from the Niagara. In the'first place [ should like to stress Mr Hogan's statement and would say that however glamorous the salvage exploit may be, it would matter little whether the hours worked Avere 40 or 140 per week on such ventures, the fact remains that manpower and potential war material were sidetracked and are continuing to be side-tracked for the sake of—profits. So long as this state of affairs continues we need not wonder., if wage earners look warily at any proposal which conceivably may result, first in increasing some exports er's dividends rather than in winning the war. I would suggest that were the wage earners scepticism regarding the reasons advanced for abolition of the 40-hour week met by a more obvious all-in National war effort those same wage earners would be found ready and willing to co-operate to the fullest degree. Perhaps there is no section of the community more deeply concerned or more well informed on the question cf what is at stake in the present world struggle than the section which is reputed to be reclining on the 40-hour week. Regarding the effort Avhich Major Melrose is making to do something of real value, his movement commands the communities fullest support. We have too long been fed on words, words, words and futile promises about equipment, which is coming, but which seemingly fai's to materialise. Now the hour is late and our need argent, it appears that in commor prudence we must manufacture what we can even though the process may entail the scrapping of our farm implements and other machinery, in order to obtain a wherewithal for our purpose, and as for labour, and much would be needed, the shutting down of the butter industry for instance would relieve quite a lot of manpower, which at present is performing no essential service Yours etc., AND. McLEAN. P.S. As a butter producing dairy farmer I wonder whether our 60 or ji? 70 hours a week could not be put to better use in a comprehensively arranged National effort- A.M.

Sir, —Two very interesting letters appeared in Monday's issue of the Beacon with reference to the impending crisis. In the first letter there is the statement "we ask why such funds . . . are not being marshalled" &c. The solution is dealt with very ably in the second lettei of Monday's issue by John A. Hogan which concludes "When we learn and apply that we shall have destroyed one of the enemy's greatest advantages." May I appeal to all readers of the Beacon who have the interests of this country at heart to re-read that letter and they will get at least a glimmer of one thing that is hampering the marshalling of our funds. Referring to another matter in the letter of Messrs Gow < and Wilson, Major Melrose appealed for unity. May I suggest that the statement "\vc still cling tenaciousty to our 40-hour week" does not coincide with this appeal. What exactly does the writer and those who use that expression mean? As I understand this matter there is no 40-hour week. Forty hours is the basis which is considered to be a week, but that does not prevent anyone from employing for a longer time. There are people, members of trade unions too, working 70 and 80 hours a week. Is it suggested that they should not receive overtime for the time over the standard week of 40 hours? We can all agree with the writer when he sa3's: "We venture to say that there is not one loyal citizen, whatever his political views, who

would not welcome the most irk- 1 some restrictions and the heaviest sacrifices of his time or his money, if they be placed on the altar of our common good." Wage earners mostly are prepared to do this, hut naturally expect some share of the benefit derived. Why may We not have unanimity on this question, especially at this time when the threat of war is impending over our homes in this country. Yours etc.. UNITY.