Finance and Paid Holidays

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 62, 16 March 1944, Page 5

Finance and Paid Holidays

WELLINGTON, Alarch 15. Two Bills were introduced by Gover-nor-General's message when the House of Representatives resumed at 7.30, one a finance Bill and one providing a fortnight’s holiday with puy for all workers for each 12 months’ work Avith proportionate paid holidays for shorter terms of employment. Answering a query by Mr. Holland, tho Acting Alinister of Finance (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) said the Finance Bill avus not the usual Imprest Bill. It followed the course usual under circumstances similar to the present. The Prime Alinister Avould probably be leaving to attend the Imperial Conference and the Bill was one to extend certain provisions in tho National Development Loans Act and Public Revenue Act in order to provide against the possibility that Parliament might not be called together iu June. Both Acts referred to provided that the Minister of Finance might in three months following the end of each financial year on Alarch 31 expend under those Acts an amount equalling one-quarter of the total provision made in the previous year plus any unexpended appropriations. This was the normal procedure. Parliament on A’arious occasions in tho pnst, including three under Afr. Forbes’s Premiership and one under Afr. Savage’s, had extended the tlireo months’ period to five, six and seven/montlis. The present Bill provided for an extension to five months of the authority of the Alinister of Finance under both the National Development Loans Act and the Public Revenue Act, thus enabling the Administration to proceed until the end of August if need lie without Parliament’s meeting. If Parliament did meet before the end of Juno the authority to be taken under the Bill would not. be required. Afr. Fraser said if the Bill had been brought down after the end of this month it Avould have been an Imprest Supply Bill. He would leave it to the Houso Avhen the Bill Avas debated. He did not want to force, a debate on a Financial Bill Avhich, he realised, opened up for discussion the whole administration of the country. Air. Holland said the Opposition were not going to hold up the business of the country for tho moment, but they could not bo expected to pass legislation they were not familiar with. The Opposition Avould cooperate in every way possible but Avould pay the Government the compliment of examining the Bill thoroughly as they had a duty to do. After further discussion as to procedure the Bill was read a first time. When the Annual Holidays Bill was introduced Afr. Holland sought a shore explanation from Hon. P. O. Webb. Air. Holland said the provision of paid holidays represented a policy long advocated by tho Notional Party. It was in the forefront of their election policy and had they been returned to power it would havo been their first legislation since it had been a plank in their policy. They welcomed the legislation Avhicli was in fact o\erdue. Alost employers Avere already giving their Avorkers paid holidays and this legislation Avould compel others to fall into line. TTe Avas glad to hnA-o an assurance from Afr. Webb that there was provision for casual workers. He also hoped there*

was something in the Bill rewarding workers who kept good time, otherwise absentees and strikers might be treated the same as conscientious workers. Mr. Fraser, answering Mr. Holland, gave an assurance that the Labour Bills Committee would have the opportunitv to discuss the measure after the second reading. Mr. Webb said Mr. Holland’s remarks gave a delightful turn to an important debate. It was refreshing to know that the Opposition was in accord with him on the Bill which was similar to legislation passed in Britain and elsewhere. The Government would have introduced it long ago but for the war conditions. However, it had been shown that lack of rest was militating against the efficiency of many people working 50, 60 or more hours weekly, mid everyone would agree that a fort-

night’s holiday was not too much under the strenuous conditions now obtaining. Mr. Poison naked about holidays for seasonal workers such a freezing workers. Would their holidays have to come at Christmas? Mr. Webb said provision for holidays in such categories would be made by regulation. Obviously some industries could not give holidays at certain holiday periods. Mr. Webb, answering a question, said that State employees were in eluded. The Bill was read a first time and Mr. Fraser proposed that the second rending should be taken forthwith or later in the evening. Mr. Holland suggested that the ordinary course should be followed, namely that the second reading should be taken pro forma and the Bill then referred to the Labour Bills Committee, enabling the second reading debate to take place later. Mr. Holland said the Bill had .just reached him for the first time and it had 3-6 clauses, some lengthy. Mr. Fraser said he had no desire to force the second reading, although he had hoped to expedite the Bill. It was agreed that Mr. Webb should make his second rending speech before the House adjourned for the evening. Moving the second reading, Mr. Webb said it must be obvious to all who had visited the workshops and factories of the country that there wore largo numbers of men and women, many of them getting old, working for long hours at the present time. Unfortunately the great bulk of the people who worked the hardest enjoyed the least benefit of holidays with pay. Ho did not know of any part, of the world where workers were doing more than in New Zealand and the Bill inertly extended the provisions of paid holidays to them all. It was refreshing to know flint there was no opposition to such a provision. The Minister Ihon outlined the main provisions of the Bill and in conclusion said he felt sure that when it was put into operation it would soon be brought down to smooth working. The debate was adjourned and the House rose at 30.30 until 2.30 to-morrow when the debate will be resumed. Beforo Mr. Webb moved the second reading three committees were set up. Those were the Labour Bills Committee, tho Loenl Bills Committee and a committee ‘‘to inquire into and report upon the organisation set tip and the methods employed in recording the votes of servicemen in tho recent general election.* 1