THE FORTY-HOUR WEEK.

Evening Star, Issue 22445, 16 September 1936, Page 10

THE FORTY-HOUR WEEK.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lt is to be regretted that any loophole should have oeen left in the law regarding the shorter working ■week, People who make money out of the efforts of other people cannot be expected to agree readily to a lessening of effort on their part. Ine 40-hour week properly applied would greatly reduce, if not altogether eliminate, part time workers and sustenance men, with the exception of the unlit. If it did not do so then the hours should be reduced until all unemployed were absorbed. It is nonsense to suggest that 40 hours cannot be the fixed standard for a working week. Those requiring more of their employees could have the same by a little extra payment. The quibbling over the payment of this “ extra ” is a pitiful exhibition, since the law still allows all extra costs to be passed on. It is high time that ugly word unemployment was wiped off the slate. All work available should _be distributed amongst all men available, and no man should be expected to maintain a home and rear children on less than £5 a week. Under the proper application of the 40-honr week, 20 more men should be employed for every hundred working. There are avenues which would absorb thousands of willing, capable mei, such as the fruit trade, which should be nationalised in the interests of national health and finance. Millions of pounds are lost every year to New Zealand in this line. Then there is the opening up of small farms and stocking of same, thus relieving the labour market of hundreds of men who_ prefer to battle for themselves if given a push off. The forced retirement of all who have an abundance already secured, the prevention of superannuated ■ men taking other jobs, the employment of men who are expected to he homebuilders and bread-winners, in preference to women in Government _ offices and such johs,_ would materially relieve the situation. The home builder is the nation builder and must have preference.—l am, etc., G. A. Herring. September 16.