King’s Birthday Holiday

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 44, 15 November 1940, Page 9

King’s Birthday Holiday

.Sir. —In reply t‘> lettei' by “Old Bloke” in the "Dominion” today mi tlie above subject. As the originator of the discussion at the Wellington ('liantber of Coininerco on Tuesday, may 1 inform your correspondent that his conception of Imsiness men in general Is wrong. There are very few who can or do “clear off"’ to golf or bowls when they like. Most of them have great responsibilities in rhe organizing of business and arranging for supplies Io provide workers with employment.

In my own ease, I work Saturday mornings, ami Hie afternoons are devoted io parades in the National Military Reserve. I having gone to the las' war. I aiijiroeiate a holiday as mneii as anybody else, but I maintain that odd holidays are unseemly while tinfuture of tlie Empire and the world trembles in the balance. It is essential we exert every ounce of pressure into onr efforts to win this war at. the earliest possible moment. Every day by which it can lie shortened will save lives. Does "Old Bloke" realize thm during the past two months more than 2UO people have been killed every day in air raids on Englund?—l tun, etc. W. 11. HIN'DI.E. Wellington. November 14.

Sir.—My company is huMly engaged on urgent war work, work for wbicii Army and Air Force are claiiiouring. A modern, well-equipped factory, man tied by an excellent crowd of workers, who have given of their very best, will lie closed for one whole day on November 25. We do not mind the holiday as sueh. our staff deserves if. bur our flgliting services are demanding production. We would willingly pay ou" staff for the holiday in addition to another day’s pay if we were permit rod to work, and onr staff would work, 100. Under the Factories Act. however, we must pay for the holiday and pin double rime in addition for any wort; done. Thus a man earning 3/- an hoin would he paid 72/- for eight hourwork.—l am, etc.—WAR EFFORT. Wellington. November 14.