PROSECUTION INVITED

Evening Star, Issue 23684, 18 September 1940, Page 6

PROSECUTION INVITED

MEN WILLING TO WORK OVER FORTY HOURS FIRM TO PROCEED [Per United Press AssociATios.] HAMILTON, September 18., Inviting a ruling by prosecution in tho courts if necessary whether willing men shall bo permitted to work more than 40 hours a week, the Hamilton firm of Bisley and Co. has .addressed a letter to the Labour Department. The firm’s staff recently telegraphed the Prime Minister conveying a resolution passed at a stop-work meeting stating that men who were engaged in work on essential primary production were willing, and urged tho Prime Minister to give permission, to follow the example of the worker in Britain and work such hours at standard rates of pay as were considered essential. “In the interests of freedom and our Empire,” they added, ” we urge the Government to bring in regulations permitting this to be done for the duration of the war.” Mr Fraser acknowledged the patriotic spirit shown, and expressed appreciation of the offer, and referred the resolution to tho Minister of Labour.. Tho staff of 24 worked 45 hours a week for some time until the shortage of steel for harvesting machinery caused a reversion to 40 hours. Supplies have now come to hand, and the firm proposes to reinstitute tho 45hour week. The men have been informed by a union representative that, they may work the extra hours only at overtime rates of pay. The firm is asking for a decision whether the extra work will be sanctioned at standard rates, and expresses willingness to submit to prosecution, if necessary, to obtain a ruling on a matter considered of national importance in the present emergency.