VARIATION OF AWARDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 161, 7 June 1940, Page 8

VARIATION OF AWARDS

ACTION WHERE NECESSARY. MINISTER’S PROMISE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 5, ; A statement that any modification of industrial awards considered necessary for the advancement of . New Zealand’s war effort would be made without hesitation was made by the Minister ol Labour (Hon. P. C. Webb), to-day. The Minister said, however, that there was no thought of introducing a “blan-. ket” clause at the moment.

“Wherever industry is prevented from operating to its full pz'oductive capacity because of the 40-hofir week the Industrial Emergency Council will immediately review the agreements,” Mr Webb said, “and if necessary extend hours of work or vary awards to enable shifts to be worked where practicable and advisable.” The people could rest assured, the Minister added, that everything considered necessary would be done without delay. A surplus of inexperienced labour was available at the moment for every industry. “Whatever secondary industry can adjust its plant to work additional shifts we would be pleased to make the necessary arrangements with it to provide labour,” said the Minister. “Regulations will be issued suspending any award if the occasion arises after applications have been considered by the Industrial Emergency Council. The suspensions \will apply only for the duration of the war. This is definitely a war measure.”

Asked whether the Arbitration Court would continue to function, the Minister'said the Court would be open to any organisation of workers or employers in the usual way. FORTY-HOUR WEEK. EXTENSION FOR WAR.EMFLOYERS’ ATTITUDE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 5. An assurance that if the 40-hour week is suspended the New Zealand Employers’ Federation will not oppose its restoration six months after the war is given in a resolution passed unanimously at a meeting of the executive to-day. The resolution is as follows:—“In view of the present situation, it is imperative that production in New Zealand should be maintained, and whero possible increased. This can be obtained "by working longer hours. Nothing can bo gained, however, if the unit cost of production is raised. Consequently, longer hours should be worked without an increase.in the wage rates per hour. “We, therefore, recommend the suspension of the operation of the 40-hour week for the duration of tlie war and six months thereafter. If workers generally will agree to such extension of hours as may be necessary in any industry for the purpose of the common war effort, the federation will not oppose an automatic return to the existing hours of work to take effect six months after hostilities cease. After this restoration the matter would be viewed by both parties on its merits.” FRANK STATEMENT. “Employers all over New Zealand want longer hours to enable them to increase production,” said Mr W. Maehin (president of the federation), after the meeting. “We have heard that there are strong suspicions among the workers that if the 40-hour week is suspended it may not be restored, or that the federation may object' to its restoration. The federation has decided that in every case in which workers agree to work longer hours, and agree to give up the privileges which they possess by law, the federation wilj raise no objection to the restoration of those hours and privileges six months after the termination of hostilities. This course will be taken without prejudice to any new view which may. he taken subsequent to the restoration as to the merits of hours, conditions and rates of pay. This frank statement of the federation’s attitude should allay any anxiety or doubt felt by the workers and should result in the immediate speeding up of the comnion effort to win the war.” AMMUNITION WORKS. „ SHIFTS TO OPERATE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 6. Pursuant to the Labour Legislation Emergency Regulations, an order has been issued suspending the provisions of the Factories Act and any award to enable shift work to be performed in ammunition works. The Colonial Ammunition Company’s works, as a result of this, will be able to operate to the fullest capacity as from Monday next. Making the announcement, Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister for Labour), heartily thanked the company and workers for their splendid response to achieve the fullest possible output. PLANT AT LOWER HUTT. The president of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association (Mr W. H. Stevens), speaking during a visit of representatives of that organisation to the Ford plant at Lower Hutt, said there were plant and facilities there for the employment of 650 to 750 and possibly more men per shift and there was urgent need for munitions, aircraft, tanks and other military supplies. It had been said that for every man in the fighting line 22 were needed to supply liis requirements, yet in New Zealand we were mainly concentrating on the supply of men for the fighting forces and expected an over-worked England to supply the necessary materials. Mr Stevens urged the full development and use of New Zealand’s manufacturing resources;