KING’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 42, 13 November 1940, Page 8

KING’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY

Economic Waste Seen COMMERCE CHAMBER DISCUSSION

The t economic waste ot the King’s Birthday holiday at such a critical period should meet with the disapproval of all patriotic citizens, stated a letter by the Brown and Dunean Pty.. Ltd., signed by Mr. W. 11. Hindie, which was read to last night's meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

The letter stated that a new emergency regulation called the King’s Birthday Emergency Kegulatiou, 1940, Amendment No. 1, provided that Hie King’s Birthday should be observed this year on November 25. The proper date was June 9, but there was no holiday at Hint time because of the serious position then existing overseas. The decision to make a holiday on November 25 was to be deplored. Tlie war was still on and the situation demanded that there should be no interference with production. “To forgo a holiday was a very little thing and the people generally would gladly make such a small sacrifice,” continued the letter. "Of course, there is no virtue in making sacrifices merely for the sake of making them. But the observance of this holiday indicates that, as a country, we are not taking the war seriously. There is no question of loyalty to the King, but no holiday is necessary to demonstrate our loyaltv at the present stage of affairs. These’ odd holidays seriously interfere with work ami not merely Hie Mondaj is affected. Things do not regain normalcy for several days. Another disturbing feature is tlie fact that several race meetings are scheduled for that day. Tlie one nearest ’Wellington is at Levin, and apart from the stoppage of work there is the matter of jr ’ 01, which will run into some thousands of gallons. The economic waste of this holiday at such a critical period Should meet witli the disapproval of all patriotic citizens.” , Gordian Knots. Mr. Al. g’ U. AlcCaul said that some of these Gordian knots would have to lx* cut in the present situation; the holiday should be abolished for the time being. Something should be done to enable the nation to work harder. They seemed so far away from the war in spirit and should realize that hard work and not talk was going to win the war. 'There were many New Zealand products that the country was very short of. They should be working more hours instead of talking holidays. It only needed a Gilbert and a Sullivan to write a comic opera to show how absurd some things were. The president, Mr. R. H. Nimmo, said that the immediate problem was that the King’s Birthday holiday was imminent and could not. be altered except by Parliament. The workers were entitled to the holiday or. if th'ey worked on it, to double pay, and should not be deprived of something to which they were entitled. Production Not Holidays.

Mr. Frank Campbell said that the holiday had 1 been established by Order-iu-Co’uncil aud should be cancelled for the duration of the war by the same means. He believed all would surrender the holiday meantime, but he did not suggest wiping it off the awards. The present problem -was to concentrate on production, not holidays. Mr. F. Wilson said that apart from the rights or wrongs of holidays at present, there appeared to be a conflict between views now expressed and those given when the June 3 holiday was discussed in May last. Then it was agreed with the Government that the workers should not be forced to forgo the holiday, but that it be deferred and restored at a more suitable date. Now speakers were recommending abolition, which was altogether offside with the original recommendation. 'Tlie Government was implementing the promise given when the holiday was postponed. Mr. McCaul: The position is now more serious. Mr. Al. F. Luckie said that it had been agreed by everyone that the June 3 holidav should be postponed, not abolished. Now the people would have a holiday in midsummer instead of midwinter. Mr. McCaul: I wisli you were running a factory. Mr. Nimmo read the council’s resolution of May 29 regarding the June 3 holiday. This was :— “That the Chamber of Commerce supported by various other commercial, industrial and public interests urge upon the Government tlie urgent desirability under the present national emergency, to defer the public holiday on King's Birthday till a more convenient date iu the future, and to declare June 3 as a normal working day at normal rates of pay.” Convenient Date Not Yet.

"The convenient date has not yet arrived,” said Mr. Campbell. “You can add the days up and when the war is won let the workers have a week off. ... Mr. Nimmo: You are suggesting prophetically that it will take seven years to win the war? To have holidays now was not throwing the full weigjit into the wai effort, continued Mr. Campbell. It would be a gran'll gesture to Britain to go on working. Mr. Nimmo said that on the previous occasion of the postponement of the June 3 holiday, the-general attitude of tlie workers was tine. It should be remembered that the workers were owed a day’s holiday, and there should be no one wanting to shirk obligations in that respect. The position could be met by endorsing the previous resolution regarding the June 3 holiday. Though he was opposed to paying the extra day’s pay, he would rather secdouble time paid for the holiday than that it should be lost to the nation as a working day. said Mr. McCatil. Double pay might Lie all right for some firms, but not for others now carrying on under difficulties, said Mr Nimmo, and the chamber should not take the responsibility of committing the commercial community generally in this regard. Supporting postponement of the holiday, Mr. P. E. Battrick said it was unthinkable that anyone should want a holiday when there was urgent, work to Ik- done. Mr. J. 11. Meyer said that if double rates were paid for the holiday, nothing would be lost and a day’s work would be'gained for production. If a worker did not work that day, the employer still had to pay him ordinary time, and got nothing for it. The resolution of May 29 in regard to the June 3 holiday was reaffirmed as applying to November 25, the matter to be referred to the Associated Chambers of Commerce.

The Masterton County Council lias dc’cided to urge Parliament, to pass legislation enabling the council to buy land for afforestation purposes, and io expedite die Dr. Trimble bequest for that,