THIS FINE 40-HOUR WEEK

Chronicle (Levin), 7 March 1947, Page 5

THIS FINE 40-HOUR WEEK

HAS GIV^N N.Z. EVERYTHING, SAYS VISITOR Received Thursdav, 9.50 p.m, SYDNEY, March 6. A spirited defence of the 40-hotir week as in operation in New Zealand, was made by the Attorney General, Mr. Martin, in the New South Wales Legis lative Assemblv during a debate of the 40-hour Week Amendent Bill. "The wailings which took place when the 40-hour Bill was introduced into New Zealand Parliament in 1936, are being repeated in this chamber al' most word for word, " he said. ' ' Tliese wailings, (lire .forebodings, moanings and despairing cries about the actual position in NevY Zealand have been proved to be arrant nonsense. What is it that we find ? A counlry that has developed produi tion it never had be fore. ' ' He challenged stutenients by Opposi tion leaders tiiat the 40-hour week had failed in New Zealand, bv saying that despite the presence of industries there rliat did not exist before, the people en joyed ieisure sucli as they had never known. ' ' Wherever one goes in that glorious Doniinion, one of the most beautiful places G«d ever created, one flnds citizeus able to travel and use their leis ure. But the people are not working hard merely in order to spend part ot their time in play but in order to live fully and well," he said. Though true that certain facilities were not available at weekends, it was equally true that the people had accommodated themselves to the slight inconveniences. He did not find a single person who complained though he did not j move in Employers' Federation circles. He denied that the econoniic structure was suffering and said that though i there had been some costs, New Zealaiul [ had been able to pay them as well as bring about increased production. lle (lefied'' the Opposition to produce Ihe opinion of one competent economist that the 40-hour week had adversely affected New Zealand economy. He could not say that all the good he saw in New Zealand flowed from the 40hour week but members could not say there was unemployment in New Zealand or that New Zealanders had not enough money to spend on reasonable Ieisure. They were elothed quite well and New Zealand was producing slioes, boots and hats as well as clothing. The New Zealand perforiuance in housing was remarkable. In Butt Valley were 2000 honies of a character that would delight members. Wherever one went one found groups of tliese houses built under the 40-hour week. Tlie greatest boon, however, was the enjoyment of a long weekend. This had been ipet by an Lmprovement and increase in play and reereational facilities. The fact was that the people in New Zealand liad sliown their desire to use Ieisure reasonably and properly. .Statistics did not prove every thing. New Zealand was tliriving and her people were happy and contented. "It is miportant that tliese things should be known to this chamber and to the people of the State so that all miglit realise that the wails and moan ings that are to be lieard are only those that we have always heard wlien any important social advance has been brought forward. ' '