FORTY-HOUR WEEK

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1937, Page 6

FORTY-HOUR WEEK

CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE Hon. A. Hamilton’s Testimony The Hon. M. Connelly, when moving the Address-in-Reply in the Legislative Council, and referring to the introduction of the forty-hour week, said: “Notwithstanding the gloomy prognostications and forbodings that came from members of that chamber and of another place, that it would strangle industry, and drive capital out of the country, and so forth, matters industrial have gone very well. They have not gone the way that some people thought or hoped they would go. When I sat here and listened to the discussions, and when 1 read in the papers various predictions by people throughout the country as to the dire results that would probably follow the introduction of the forty-hour week, I recalled that industrial history shows that 135 years ago, when attempts were being made to reduce the hours in factories from 18 to 12 per day for children, the same wails and forbodings were heard. Again, when hours were reduced from 12 to 10 per day, and once more, when tney were reduced from 10 to 8 per day, the same occurred. Yet none of the things, none of the gloomy happenings predicted on all these occasions, have ever taken place. We all know, as sensible men, that when such reforms are first mentioned, some little dislocation in industry is bound to follow; and history tells us that on occasion when a reduction of hours has taken place, some little dislocation in industry did follow. But after one or two years, things adjusted themselves, and they will very soon adjust themselves in this country. I am pleased to say that, as a result of the introduction of the forty-hour week, quite a number of youths and men have been brought into industry, and that, contrary to the predictions made by so many people, business generally throughout the country is more prosperous to-day than ever. I venture the opinion that when the history of this 1935-38 period is written, it will go down to the credit of the Government that it introduced such advanced legislation as the forty-hour week. To show how rapidly industry is booming along and developing, I may quote from the “Southland Times” of September 7th last the report of the annual meeting of the Farmers’ Co-op-erative Association. The report is headed “Never Been Sounder—Excellent Financial Year;” and the Chairman of Directors, in giving his report, said: Clients generally have felt the benefit of the price rise, money has become much easier and more plentiful, which is reflected in a substantial increase in credits and reduction of debits. The sheep farmer especially has had a very prosperous year and everything points to another very good year for wool and meat. The economic disturbances of the slump period has now become almost readjusted, and less business anxiety should be experienced from now onwards. Further on, he said: “This year the bank account was in credit by £15,820 3s lid as compared with a debit last year of £13,017 13s Id. This apart from the profits, was perhaps the most pleasant part of the balance-sheet.” . Further on we find the Chairman saying: “The gross profits were up £7 983 10s 2d. An interesting feature here that the percentage of net profit to gross profit had risen from twenty-eight per cent, last .Year to forty-two per coni, this year.” then the 'following motion was carried unanimously:—“That this meeting of shareholders of the Association hereby agrees to an annual sum not exceeding £4OO being paid to the directors for their services, such amount to be allowed as the directors think best.” , . . .. The Hon. Mr Doyle: Who is thv Chairman of Directors of the Southland Farmer’s Co-operative Association ? _ T The Hon. M. Connelly: The Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the National Party I He is the man who paid this compliment to the Government and acknowledged the prosperity of the country: When we get such encomiums as this we can look everybody in the face and say that things must be going on very well. In conclusion, I should like to congratulate the Government on the work done during the past year. We all know that no matter what our politics are there must be criticism or the Government’s policy; and criticism will be levelled at any Government. Was not criticism of a very spirited nature levelled at the policy of the legislative measures of that great Liberal statesman Richard John Seddon and the loyal band associated with him which included such renowned men as Sir John McKenzie and Sir Joseph Ward ? There was great feeling in the country when Richard John Seddon was trying to introduce humanitarian legislation. Indeed people called Seddon and his Cabinet the seven devils of Socialism. An hon. member: Who said that ? The Hon. Mr Connelly: Many of the critics of Richard John Seddon when he was trying to place New Zealand on the map with his industrial and social legislation. But Seddon went on and carried on the good work which was started when he was associated with Ballance. Under Seddon this country prospered, and I have no doubt that if the criticism that has been levelled at the present Government is any reflex of the criticism that was levelled at that great statesman then the present Government has no need to look back but can push on with the good work. Its name will then go down in history equally with that of the great Richard John Seddon.