A NATIONAL LOSS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4595, 31 August 1923, Page 1

A NATIONAL LOSS.

SICKNESS AMONG WORKERS. MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION. It would be reasonable to assume that, an average of considerably over six days per annum is lost through sickness by each worker employed in the factories in New Zealand. On the whole the national loss in wages and production must be very great. The number of workers employed in factories in the Dominion during the past year was 92,608 ; thus, through sickness, which may be largely pre; ’ ventable, there Is incurred a loss of production equivalent to 555,648 days, or equivalent to a full year’s absence from work of 2020 workers every year. If .the Labour Department can devise any scheme which will appreciably reduce this great loss it, will be credited with good work, not only in the interests of industry, but in improving or abolishing any conditions ofi the workers whcih enforce absence and. cause the sickness and loss. It is a great undertaking, and tho Department should receive the heartiest support in carrying it through.—Wairarapa Daily News.