AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1926, Page 3

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

FORD’S DECISION, i FIVE-DAY WEEK. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received this day at 11.0 a.m-l NEW YORK, September 25The newspaper “ New York American ” states Henry Ford will immediately put into effect, through all branches of inis industries a live-day week, no work being done on Saturday or Sunday. The eight-hour day will continue without any overtime, and at .least the same pay as for the full sixday week will be assured. Ford’s announcement points out: “This decision is in favour of the forty hours week and is not sudden. We have been going towards it for three or four years. We have been feeling our way and now we know from experience that shorter honks and high pressure production and pay of a full week’s wages for a short week’s work ensure better methods. This country is prepared for the five-day week. It is bound to come th rough in all industry. Just as the eight-hour day opened our way to prosperity in America, so the live day week will open our way to still greater prosperity. Ford, when asked whether his minimum wage of six dollars a day would be proportionately augmented, said: ‘ 1 \Ve are now working out a wage schedule. We have stopped thinking in terms of the minimum wage—that belongs to yesterday, before .we quite knew what paying high wages meant.’ WASHINGTON, September 25. It is understood that the general methods of mass production used in mo United States may not be applicable to Australia, which lacks, the tremendous consuming population existing in America, It is consequently supposed that trie Australian study will bo along different lilies from those of British, German and other foreign observers, who studied the American Industrial Organisations during the past summer. Experts here point out that the following subjects which may be observed by the Australian visitors, who have the great advantage, are, first, plant management, which has been developed to a state of high efficiency, particularly the relations between foreman and workmen ; second, the system of employee ownershipTliore is a growing tendency in the United States for employees to purchase stock and share profits ill concerns in which they are employed. Third, American marketing methods, especially the extension of deferred payments and plan of sale- of retail consumers; fourth, the American railway system with its unusual facilities for inter-State distribution of products.