FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1878, 17 September 1918, Page 3

FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

WOMEN’S REDUCED HOURS

INTEREST IN EXPERIMENT

The experiment of Avorking only five days a Aveek, Avhich has been adopted in leading clothing and other factories in Auckland, Avhere Avornen and girls are principally employed, has aroused considerable interest in Auckland, says the Herald. Suspension of Saturday Avork will take effect from Saturday last in those factories Avhich have led the Avay in the movement. The initiation of the movement has been heartily Aveleomed by many classes of workers not at present immediately concerned, as well as by the employees, numbering about 1,000, of the firms avlio have inaugurated the new departure. The great advantage, from “the point of vieAv of the female opera lives, is that the suspension of Saturday Avork Avill give them the opportunity of doing their shopping without ineommnienee. They state that they consider (hat by working the usual hours on five days a week they will be able to do as much Avork as (hey have hitherto done in the five and a -half days. In support of the neAV arrangement, it is pointed out that under the fire and ahalf days a Aveek system the hands frequently take half a day off Aveek - ly, and, as this is taken by different employees on different days, it frequently gives rise to serious, disorganisation in the factories, especially as the work of one section of Ihe staff is often dependent upon that of another section. From the employers’ point of view, it is argued by those favourable to the change that there may he an appreciable saving in the wcar-and-tear of machinery, and the cost of motive power under (In' reduced Avorking time. On the oilier hand there are many employers who express themselves as very dubious regarding the success of the experiment. They state that while the employees may commence Avith a conscientious intention to maintain the full weekly output in five days, and may fulfil this condition for a short period, it is problematical Avhethor it will be maintained.

.Although the experiment is a I present eon fined to female 1 workers and the small number of men employed at the factories concerned, male unionists are regarding the experiment with lively ini crest. An official of one union slated on Friday lhat a -10-hour week has long been advocated. The principle, he added, already was being carried out on a small scale by various employers and workers. Certain men engaged on suburban work, for instance, did nol work on Sal unlays, but worked extra lime on other days. Employers of male workers are not so ready to applaud the innovation. “It may be a very desirable thing for women,” was a remark made on Friday, “but I see no reason why it should be applied to male workers.”